Mobile terminal

ABSTRACT

Provided is a mobile terminal which allows pieces of furniture to be virtually arranged. A mobile terminal according to one embodiment of the present invention comprises: a wireless communication unit which is capable of communicating with an external server or an external device; a display unit for displaying an execution screen of a certain application; and a control unit, wherein the execution screen at least comprises: a first area for displaying a first image corresponding to a certain area; a second area for displaying information on each of a plurality of pieces of furniture which can virtually be arranged on the first image; and a third area which includes a chat room for exchanging opinions related to the virtual arrangement of the pieces of furniture on the first image, with a user of at least one predetermined external device on which the certain application is installed.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No.16/683,137, filed on Nov. 13, 2019, which is a continuation of U.S.patent application Ser. No. 15/578,674, filed on Nov. 30, 2017, now U.S.Pat. No. 10,503,350, which is the National Stage filing under 35 U.S.C.371 of International Application No. PCT/KR2015/008384, filed on Aug.11, 2015, which claims the benefit of earlier filing date and right ofpriority to Korean Application No. 10-2015-0077143, filed on Jun. 1,2015, the contents of which are all hereby incorporated by referenceherein in their entireties.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to a mobile terminal capable offacilitating the use of the terminal in further consideration of user'sconvenience.

BACKGROUND ART

Terminals may be generally classified as mobile/portable terminals orstationary terminals according to their mobility. Mobile terminals mayalso be classified as handheld terminals or vehicle mounted terminalsaccording to whether or not a user can directly carry the terminal.

The mobile terminals have become increasingly more functional. Examplesof such functions include data and voice communications, capturingimages and video via a camera, recording audio, playing music files andoutputting music via a speaker system, and displaying images and videoon a display. Some terminals include additional functionality whichsupports game playing, while other terminals are also configured asmultimedia players. More recently, mobile terminals have been configuredto receive broadcast and multicast signals which permit viewing ofcontents, such as videos and television programs.

As functions of the terminal are getting diversified, the terminal tendsto be implemented as a multimedia player with multiple functions ofcapturing images or videos, playing back music files or video files,gaming, and receiving broadcasting programs, and the like.

There are ongoing efforts to support and increase the functionality ofmobile terminals. Such efforts include software and hardwareimprovements, as well as changes and improvements in the structuralcomponents which form the mobile terminal.

Meanwhile, in recent years, mobile terminals have been increasingly usedas a point of reference in selecting furniture in that users canvirtually arrange the furniture in an image corresponding to a specificspace using the mobile terminals.

DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION Technical Task

Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to address theabove-noted and other problems.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a solution forallowing a user to virtually arrange furniture in an image correspondingto a specific space and exchange opinions about the furniturearrangement with many people.

A further object of the present invention is to provide user experienceand environment optimized for virtual furniture arrangement.

It will be appreciated by persons skilled in the art that the objectsthat could be achieved with the present invention are not limited towhat has been particularly described hereinabove and the above and otherobjects that the present invention could achieve will be more clearlyunderstood from the following detailed description.

Technical Solutions

To achieve these objects and other advantages, in an aspect of thepresent invention, provided herein is a mobile terminal, including: awireless communication unit configured to communicate with an externalserver or device; a display unit configured to display an executionscreen of a specific application; and a controller. In this case, theexecutions screen at least includes a first area for displaying a firstimage corresponding to a specific space, a second area for displayinginformation of each of a plurality of pieces of furniture that can bevirtually arranged in the first image, and a third area including a chatroom for exchanging opinions about virtual furniture arrangement in thefirst image with at least one user using a predetermined external devicewhere the specific application is installed.

Advantageous Effects

Accordingly, the mobile terminal according to the present inventionprovides the following effects and/or advantages

According to at least one embodiment of the present invention, it ispossible to provide a solution for allowing a user to virtually arrangefurniture in an image corresponding to a specific space and exchangeopinions about the furniture arrangement with many people.

According to at least one embodiment of the present invention, it ispossible to provide user experience and environment optimized forvirtual furniture arrangement.

Further scope of applicability of the present invention will becomeapparent from the detailed description given hereinafter. However, itshould be understood that the detailed description and specificexamples, while indicating preferred embodiments of the invention, aregiven by illustration only, since various changes and modificationswithin the spirit and scope of the invention will become apparent tothose skilled in the art from this detailed description.

DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

FIG. 1A is a block diagram of a mobile terminal in accordance with thepresent disclosure.

FIGS. 1B and 1C are conceptual views of one example of the mobileterminal, viewed from different directions;

FIG. 2 is a conceptual view of a deformable mobile terminal according toan alternative embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 3 is a conceptual view of a wearable mobile terminal according toanother alternative embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 4 is a conceptual view of a wearable mobile terminal according toanother alternative embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 5 is a diagram for explaining functions of a specific applicationexecuted by a mobile terminal according to an embodiment of the presentinvention.

FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating examples of a first image displayed ina first area of an execution screen of the specific application executedby the mobile terminal according to an embodiment of the presentinvention.

FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating an example of a method for loading thefirst image in the first area of the execution screen of the specificapplication executed by the mobile terminal according to an embodimentof the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating an example of a method for obtainingthe first image on which furniture can be virtually arranged by using acamera of the mobile terminal according to an embodiment of the presentinvention.

FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating an example of a method for obtaining,from an external device, the first image on which furniture can bevirtually arranged in the mobile terminal according to an embodiment ofthe present invention.

FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating another example of an execution screenof the specific application executed by the mobile terminal according tothe present invention.

FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating an example of a method for loadingfurniture information in a second area of the execution screen of thespecific application executed by the mobile terminal according to anembodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 12 is a diagram illustrating another example of an execution screenaccording to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 13 is a diagram illustrating an example of a method for exchangingopinions about virtual furniture arrangement in the mobile terminalaccording to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 14 is a diagram illustrating an example of a method for displayingfurniture, of which virtual arrangement is currently discussed by chatroom members, on the screen of the mobile terminal according to anembodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 15 is a diagram illustrating a method for virtually placingfurniture in the first image of the mobile terminal according to anembodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 16 is a diagram illustrating an example of a method for capturingan image of virtually placed furniture in the mobile terminal accordingto an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 17 is a diagram illustrating an example of a method for checking acapture image in the mobile terminal according to an embodiment of thepresent invention.

FIG. 18 is a diagram illustrating another example of a method forvirtually arranging furniture in the first image of the mobile terminalaccording to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 19 is a diagram illustrating authority to arrange furniture in thefirst image of the mobile terminal according to an embodiment of thepresent invention.

FIG. 20 is a diagram illustrating an example of a method for confirmingvirtual arrangement of a specific piece of furniture in the first imageof the mobile terminal according to an embodiment of the presentinvention.

FIG. 21 is a diagram illustrating a further example of a method forvirtually arranging furniture in the first image of the mobile terminalaccording to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 22 is a diagram illustrating an example of a method for changingcolor of furniture virtually placed in the first image of the mobileterminal according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 23 is a diagram illustrating another example of a method forchanging color of furniture virtually placed in the first image of themobile terminal according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 24 is a diagram illustrating an example of a method for eliminatingor changing furniture previously placed in a specific spacecorresponding to the first image in the mobile terminal according to anembodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 25 is a diagram illustrating examples of a situation that can occurafter virtual arrangement of a specific piece of furniture in the firstimage of the mobile terminal according to an embodiment of the presentinvention.

FIG. 26 is a diagram illustrating an example of a method for watchingthe first image where furniture is virtually arranged using an HMDdevice connected the mobile terminal according to an embodiment of thepresent invention.

FIG. 27 is a diagram illustrating an example of a method for utilizingan image containing the above-described virtual arrangement results atthe mobile terminal according to an embodiment of the present inventionin actually arranging the first piece of furniture.

BEST MODE FOR INVENTION

Description will now be given in detail according to exemplaryembodiments disclosed herein, with reference to the accompanyingdrawings. For the sake of brief description with reference to thedrawings, the same or equivalent components may be provided with thesame reference numbers, and description thereof will not be repeated. Ingeneral, a suffix such as “module” and “unit” may be used to refer toelements or components. Use of such a suffix herein is merely intendedto facilitate description of the specification, and the suffix itself isnot intended to give any special meaning or function. In the presentdisclosure, that which is well-known to one of ordinary skill in therelevant art has generally been omitted for the sake of brevity. Theaccompanying drawings are used to help easily understand varioustechnical features and it should be understood that the embodimentspresented herein are not limited by the accompanying drawings. As such,the present disclosure should be construed to extend to any alterations,equivalents and substitutes in addition to those which are particularlyset out in the accompanying drawings.

It will be understood that although the terms first, second, etc. may beused herein to describe various elements, these elements should not belimited by these terms. These terms are generally only used todistinguish one element from another.

It will be understood that when an element is referred to as being“connected with” another element, the element can be connected with theother element or intervening elements may also be present. In contrast,when an element is referred to as being “directly connected with”another element, there are no intervening elements present.

A singular representation may include a plural representation unless itrepresents a definitely different meaning from the context.

Terms such as “include” or “has” are used herein and should beunderstood that they are intended to indicate an existence of severalcomponents, functions or steps, disclosed in the specification, and itis also understood that greater or fewer components, functions, or stepsmay likewise be utilized.

Mobile terminals presented herein may be implemented using a variety ofdifferent types of terminals. Examples of such terminals includecellular phones, smart phones, user equipment, laptop computers, digitalbroadcast terminals, personal digital assistants (PDAs), portablemultimedia players (PMPs), navigators, portable computers (PCs), slatePCs, tablet PCs, ultra books, wearable devices (for example, smartwatches, smart glasses, head mounted displays (HMDs)), and the like.

By way of non-limiting example only, further description will be madewith reference to particular types of mobile terminals. However, suchteachings apply equally to other types of terminals, such as those typesnoted above. In addition, these teachings may also be applied tostationary terminals such as digital TV, desktop computers, and thelike.

Reference is now made to FIGS. 1A-1C, where FIG. 1A is a block diagramof a mobile terminal in accordance with the present disclosure, andFIGS. 1B and 1C are conceptual views of one example of the mobileterminal, viewed from different directions.

The mobile terminal 100 is shown having components such as a wirelesscommunication unit 110, an input unit 120, a sensing unit 140, an outputunit 150, an interface unit 160, a memory 170, a controller 180, and apower supply unit 190. It is understood that implementing all of theillustrated components is not a requirement, and that greater or fewercomponents may alternatively be implemented. Referring now to FIG. 1A,the mobile terminal 100 is shown having wireless communication unit 110configured with several commonly implemented components.

The wireless communication unit 110 typically includes one or moremodules which permit communications such as wireless communicationsbetween the mobile terminal 100 and a wireless communication system,communications between the mobile terminal 100 and another mobileterminal, communications between the mobile terminal 100 and an externalserver. Further, the wireless communication unit 110 typically includesone or more modules which connect the mobile terminal 100 to one or morenetworks.

To facilitate such communications, the wireless communication unit 110includes one or more of a broadcast receiving module 111, a mobilecommunication module 112, a wireless Internet module 113, a short-rangecommunication module 114, and a location information module 115.

The input unit 120 includes a camera 121 for obtaining images or video,a microphone 122, which is one type of audio input device for inputtingan audio signal, and a user input unit 123 (for example, a touch key, apush key, a mechanical key, a soft key, and the like) for allowing auser to input information. Data (for example, audio, video, image, andthe like) is obtained by the input unit 120 and may be analyzed andprocessed by controller 180 according to device parameters, usercommands, and combinations thereof.

The sensing unit 140 is typically implemented using one or more sensorsconfigured to sense internal information of the mobile terminal, thesurrounding environment of the mobile terminal, user information, andthe like. For example, in FIG. 1A, the sensing unit 140 is shown havinga proximity sensor 141 and an illumination sensor 142. If desired, thesensing unit 140 may alternatively or additionally include other typesof sensors or devices, such as a touch sensor, an acceleration sensor, amagnetic sensor, a G-sensor, a gyroscope sensor, a motion sensor, an RGBsensor, an infrared (IR) sensor, a finger scan sensor, a ultrasonicsensor, an optical sensor (for example, camera 121), a microphone 122, abattery gauge, an environment sensor (for example, a barometer, ahygrometer, a thermometer, a radiation detection sensor, a thermalsensor, and a gas sensor, among others), and a chemical sensor (forexample, an electronic nose, a health care sensor, a biometric sensor,and the like), to name a few. The mobile terminal 100 may be configuredto utilize information obtained from sensing unit 140, and inparticular, information obtained from one or more sensors of the sensingunit 140, and combinations thereof.

The output unit 150 is typically configured to output various types ofinformation, such as audio, video, tactile output, and the like. Theoutput unit 150 is shown having a display unit 151, an audio outputmodule 152, a haptic module 153, and an optical output module 154. Thedisplay unit 151 may have an inter-layered structure or an integratedstructure with a touch sensor in order to facilitate a touch screen. Thetouch screen may provide an output interface between the mobile terminal100 and a user, as well as function as the user input unit 123 whichprovides an input interface between the mobile terminal 100 and theuser.

The interface unit 160 serves as an interface with various types ofexternal devices that can be coupled to the mobile terminal 100. Theinterface unit 160, for example, may include any of wired or wirelessports, external power supply ports, wired or wireless data ports, memorycard ports, ports for connecting a device having an identificationmodule, audio input/output (I/O) ports, video I/O ports, earphone ports,and the like. In some cases, the mobile terminal 100 may performassorted control functions associated with a connected external device,in response to the external device being connected to the interface unit160.

The memory 170 is typically implemented to store data to support variousfunctions or features of the mobile terminal 100. For instance, thememory 170 may be configured to store application programs executed inthe mobile terminal 100, data or instructions for operations of themobile terminal 100, and the like. Some of these application programsmay be downloaded from an external server via wireless communication.Other application programs may be installed within the mobile terminal100 at time of manufacturing or shipping, which is typically the casefor basic functions of the mobile terminal 100 (for example, receiving acall, placing a call, receiving a message, sending a message, and thelike). It is common for application programs to be stored in the memory170, installed in the mobile terminal 100, and executed by thecontroller 180 to perform an operation (or function) for the mobileterminal 100.

The controller 180 typically functions to control overall operation ofthe mobile terminal 100, in addition to the operations associated withthe application programs. The controller 180 may provide or processinformation or functionality suitable for a user by processing signals,data, information and the like, which are inputted or outputted by thevarious components depicted in the above description, or runningapplication programs stored in the memory 170.

The controller 180 may provide or process information or functionsappropriate for a user by processing signals, data, information and thelike, which are input or output by the various components depicted inFIG. 1A, or activating application programs stored in the memory 170. Asone example, the controller 180 controls some or all of the componentsillustrated in FIG. 1A according to the execution of an applicationprogram that have been stored in the memory 170.

The power supply unit 190 can be configured to receive external power orprovide internal power in order to supply appropriate power required foroperating elements and components included in the mobile terminal 100.The power supply unit 190 may include a battery, and the battery may beconfigured to be embedded in the terminal body, or configured to bedetachable from the terminal body.

At least some of the components can operate cooperatively to implementthe operations, controls or controlling methods of the mobile terminalaccording to various embodiments mentioned in the following description.In addition, the operation, control or controlling method of the mobileterminal may be implemented on the mobile terminal by launching at leastone application program stored in the memory 170.

Referring still to FIG. 1A, various components depicted in this figurewill now be described in more detail.

Regarding the wireless communication unit 110, the broadcast receivingmodule 111 is typically configured to receive a broadcast signal and/orbroadcast associated information from an external broadcast managingentity via a broadcast channel. The broadcast channel may include asatellite channel, a terrestrial channel, or both. In some embodiments,two or more broadcast receiving modules 111 may be utilized tofacilitate simultaneously receiving of two or more broadcast channels,or to support switching among broadcast channels.

The broadcast managing entity may be implemented using a server orsystem which generates and transmits a broadcast signal and/or broadcastassociated information, or a server which receives a pre-generatedbroadcast signal and/or broadcast associated information, and sends suchitems to the mobile terminal. The broadcast signal may be implementedusing any of a TV broadcast signal, a radio broadcast signal, a databroadcast signal, and combinations thereof, among others. The broadcastsignal in some cases may further include a data broadcast signalcombined with a TV or radio broadcast signal.

The broadcast signal may be encoded according to any of a variety oftechnical standards or broadcasting methods (for example, InternationalOrganization for Standardization (ISO), International ElectrotechnicalCommission (IEC), Digital Video Broadcast (DVB), Advanced TelevisionSystems Committee (ATSC), and the like) for transmission and receptionof digital broadcast signals. The broadcast receiving module 111 canreceive the digital broadcast signals using a method appropriate for thetransmission method utilized.

Examples of broadcast associated information may include informationassociated with a broadcast channel, a broadcast program, a broadcastevent, a broadcast service provider, or the like. The broadcastassociated information may also be provided via a mobile communicationnetwork, and in this case, received by the mobile communication module112.

The broadcast associated information may be implemented in variousformats. For instance, broadcast associated information may include anElectronic Program Guide (EPG) of Digital Multimedia Broadcasting (DMB),an Electronic Service Guide (ESG) of Digital Video Broadcast-Handheld(DVB-H), and the like. Broadcast signals and/or broadcast associatedinformation received via the broadcast receiving module 111 may bestored in a suitable device, such as a memory 170.

The mobile communication module 112 can transmit and/or receive wirelesssignals to and from one or more network entities. Typical examples of anetwork entity include a base station, an external mobile terminal, aserver, and the like. Such network entities form part of a mobilecommunication network, which is constructed according to technicalstandards or communication methods for mobile communications (forexample, Global System for Mobile Communication (GSM), Code DivisionMulti Access (CDMA), CDMA2000 (Code Division Multi Access 2000), EV-DO(Enhanced Voice-Data Optimized or Enhanced Voice-Data Only), WidebandCDMA (WCDMA), High Speed Downlink Packet access (HSDPA), HSUPA (HighSpeed Uplink Packet Access), Long Term Evolution (LTE), LTE-A (Long TermEvolution-Advanced), and the like).

Examples of wireless signals transmitted and/or received via the mobilecommunication module 112 include audio call signals, video (telephony)call signals, or various formats of data to support communication oftext and multimedia messages.

The wireless Internet module 113 is configured to facilitate wirelessInternet access. This module may be internally or externally coupled tothe mobile terminal 100. The wireless Internet module 113 may transmitand/or receive wireless signals via communication networks according towireless Internet technologies.

Examples of such wireless Internet access include Wireless LAN (WLAN),Wireless Fidelity (Wi-Fi), Wi-Fi Direct, Digital Living Network Alliance(DLNA), Wireless Broadband (WiBro), Worldwide Interoperability forMicrowave Access (WiMAX), High Speed Downlink Packet Access (HSDPA),HSUPA (High Speed Uplink Packet Access), Long Term Evolution (LTE),LTE-A (Long Term Evolution-Advanced), and the like. The wirelessInternet module 113 may transmit/receive data according to one or moreof such wireless Internet technologies, and other Internet technologiesas well.

In some embodiments, when the wireless Internet access is implementedaccording to, for example, WiBro, HSDPA, HSUPA, GSM, CDMA, WCDMA, LTE,LTE-A and the like, as part of a mobile communication network, thewireless Internet module 113 performs such wireless Internet access. Assuch, the Internet module 113 may cooperate with, or function as, themobile communication module 112.

The short-range communication module 114 is configured to facilitateshort-range communications. Suitable technologies for implementing suchshort-range communications include BLUETOOTH™, Radio FrequencyIDentification (RFID), Infrared Data Association (IrDA), Ultra-WideBand(UWB), ZigBee, Near Field Communication (NFC), Wireless-Fidelity(Wi-Fi), Wi-Fi Direct, Wireless USB (Wireless Universal Serial Bus), andthe like. The short-range communication module 114 in general supportswireless communications between the mobile terminal 100 and a wirelesscommunication system, communications between the mobile terminal 100 andanother mobile terminal 100, or communications between the mobileterminal and a network where another mobile terminal 100 (or an externalserver) is located, via wireless area networks. One example of thewireless area networks is a wireless personal area networks.

In some embodiments, another mobile terminal (which may be configuredsimilarly to mobile terminal 100) may be a wearable device, for example,a smart watch, a smart glass or a head mounted display (HMD), which isable to exchange data with the mobile terminal 100 (or otherwisecooperate with the mobile terminal 100). The short-range communicationmodule 114 may sense or recognize the wearable device, and permitcommunication between the wearable device and the mobile terminal 100.In addition, when the sensed wearable device is a device which isauthenticated to communicate with the mobile terminal 100, thecontroller 180, for example, may cause transmission of data processed inthe mobile terminal 100 to the wearable device via the short-rangecommunication module 114. Hence, a user of the wearable device may usethe data processed in the mobile terminal 100 on the wearable device.For example, when a call is received in the mobile terminal 100, theuser may answer the call using the wearable device. Also, when a messageis received in the mobile terminal 100, the user can check the receivedmessage using the wearable device.

The location information module 115 is generally configured to detect,calculate, derive or otherwise identify a position of the mobileterminal. As an example, the location information module 115 includes aGlobal Position System (GPS) module, a Wi-Fi module, or both. Ifdesired, the location information module 115 may alternatively oradditionally function with any of the other modules of the wirelesscommunication unit 110 to obtain data related to the position of themobile terminal. As one example, when the mobile terminal uses a GPSmodule, a position of the mobile terminal may be acquired using a signalsent from a GPS satellite. As another example, when the mobile terminaluses the Wi-Fi module, a position of the mobile terminal can be acquiredbased on information related to a wireless access point (AP) whichtransmits or receives a wireless signal to or from the Wi-Fi module.

The input unit 120 may be configured to permit various types of input tothe mobile terminal 120. Examples of such input include audio, image,video, data, and user input. Image and video input is often obtainedusing one or more cameras 121. Such cameras 121 may process image framesof still pictures or video obtained by image sensors in a video or imagecapture mode. The processed image frames can be displayed on the displayunit 151 or stored in memory 170. In some cases, the cameras 121 may bearranged in a matrix configuration to permit a plurality of imageshaving various angles or focal points to be input to the mobile terminal100. As another example, the cameras 121 may be located in astereoscopic arrangement to acquire left and right images forimplementing a stereoscopic image.

The microphone 122 is generally implemented to permit audio input to themobile terminal 100. The audio input can be processed in various mannersaccording to a function being executed in the mobile terminal 100. Ifdesired, the microphone 122 may include assorted noise removingalgorithms to remove unwanted noise generated in the course of receivingthe external audio.

The user input unit 123 is a component that permits input by a user.Such user input may enable the controller 180 to control operation ofthe mobile terminal 100. The user input unit 123 may include one or moreof a mechanical input element (for example, a key, a button located on afront and/or rear surface or a side surface of the mobile terminal 100,a dome switch, a jog wheel, a jog switch, and the like), or atouch-sensitive input, among others. As one example, the touch-sensitiveinput may be a virtual key or a soft key, which is displayed on a touchscreen through software processing, or a touch key which is located onthe mobile terminal at a location that is other than the touch screen.On the other hand, the virtual key or the visual key may be displayed onthe touch screen in various shapes, for example, graphic, text, icon,video, or a combination thereof.

The sensing unit 140 is generally configured to sense one or more ofinternal information of the mobile terminal, surrounding environmentinformation of the mobile terminal, user information, or the like. Thecontroller 180 generally cooperates with the sending unit 140 to controloperation of the mobile terminal 100 or execute data processing, afunction or an operation associated with an application programinstalled in the mobile terminal based on the sensing provided by thesensing unit 140. The sensing unit 140 may be implemented using any of avariety of sensors, some of which will now be described in more detail.

The proximity sensor 141 may include a sensor to sense presence orabsence of an object approaching a surface, or an object located near asurface, by using an electromagnetic field, infrared rays, or the likewithout a mechanical contact. The proximity sensor 141 may be arrangedat an inner region of the mobile terminal covered by the touch screen,or near the touch screen.

The proximity sensor 141, for example, may include any of a transmissivetype photoelectric sensor, a direct reflective type photoelectricsensor, a mirror reflective type photoelectric sensor, a high-frequencyoscillation proximity sensor, a capacitance type proximity sensor, amagnetic type proximity sensor, an infrared rays proximity sensor, andthe like. When the touch screen is implemented as a capacitance type,the proximity sensor 141 can sense proximity of a pointer relative tothe touch screen by changes of an electromagnetic field, which isresponsive to an approach of an object with conductivity. In this case,the touch screen (touch sensor) may also be categorized as a proximitysensor.

The term “proximity touch” will often be referred to herein to denotethe scenario in which a pointer is positioned to be proximate to thetouch screen without contacting the touch screen. The term “contacttouch” will often be referred to herein to denote the scenario in whicha pointer makes physical contact with the touch screen. For the positioncorresponding to the proximity touch of the pointer relative to thetouch screen, such position will correspond to a position where thepointer is perpendicular to the touch screen. The proximity sensor 141may sense proximity touch, and proximity touch patterns (for example,distance, direction, speed, time, position, moving status, and thelike).

In general, controller 180 processes data corresponding to proximitytouches and proximity touch patterns sensed by the proximity sensor 141,and cause output of visual information on the touch screen. In addition,the controller 180 can control the mobile terminal 100 to executedifferent operations or process different data according to whether atouch with respect to a point on the touch screen is either a proximitytouch or a contact touch.

A touch sensor can sense a touch applied to the touch screen, such asdisplay unit 151, using any of a variety of touch methods. Examples ofsuch touch methods include a resistive type, a capacitive type, aninfrared type, and a magnetic field type, among others. As one example,the touch sensor may be configured to convert changes of pressureapplied to a specific part of the display unit 151, or convertcapacitance occurring at a specific part of the display unit 151, intoelectric input signals. The touch sensor may also be configured to sensenot only a touched position and a touched area, but also touch pressureand/or touch capacitance. A touch object is generally used to apply atouch input to the touch sensor. Examples of typical touch objectsinclude a finger, a touch pen, a stylus pen, a pointer, or the like.

When a touch input is sensed by a touch sensor, corresponding signalsmay be transmitted to a touch controller. The touch controller mayprocess the received signals, and then transmit corresponding data tothe controller 180. Accordingly, the controller 180 may sense whichregion of the display unit 151 has been touched. Here, the touchcontroller may be a component separate from the controller 180, thecontroller 180, and combinations thereof.

In some embodiments, the controller 180 may execute the same ordifferent controls according to a type of touch object that touches thetouch screen or a touch key provided in addition to the touch screen.Whether to execute the same or different control according to the objectwhich provides a touch input may be decided based on a current operatingstate of the mobile terminal 100 or a currently executed applicationprogram, for example.

The touch sensor and the proximity sensor may be implementedindividually, or in combination, to sense various types of touches. Suchtouches includes a short (or tap) touch, a long touch, a multi-touch, adrag touch, a flick touch, a pinch-in touch, a pinch-out touch, a swipetouch, a hovering touch, and the like.

If desired, an ultrasonic sensor may be implemented to recognizeposition information relating to a touch object using ultrasonic waves.The controller 180, for example, may calculate a position of a wavegeneration source based on information sensed by an illumination sensorand a plurality of ultrasonic sensors. Since light is much faster thanultrasonic waves, the time for which the light reaches the opticalsensor is much shorter than the time for which the ultrasonic wavereaches the ultrasonic sensor. The position of the wave generationsource may be calculated using this fact. For instance, the position ofthe wave generation source may be calculated using the time differencefrom the time that the ultrasonic wave reaches the sensor based on thelight as a reference signal.

The camera 121 typically includes at least one a camera sensor (CCD,CMOS etc.), a photo sensor (or image sensors), and a laser sensor.

Implementing the camera 121 with a laser sensor may allow detection of atouch of a physical object with respect to a 3D stereoscopic image. Thephoto sensor may be laminated on, or overlapped with, the displaydevice. The photo sensor may be configured to scan movement of thephysical object in proximity to the touch screen. In more detail, thephoto sensor may include photo diodes and transistors at rows andcolumns to scan content received at the photo sensor using an electricalsignal which changes according to the quantity of applied light. Namely,the photo sensor may calculate the coordinates of the physical objectaccording to variation of light to thus obtain position information ofthe physical object.

The display unit 151 is generally configured to output informationprocessed in the mobile terminal 100. For example, the display unit 151may display execution screen information of an application programexecuting at the mobile terminal 100 or user interface (UI) and graphicuser interface (GUI) information in response to the execution screeninformation.

In some embodiments, the display unit 151 may be implemented as astereoscopic display unit for displaying stereoscopic images.

A typical stereoscopic display unit may employ a stereoscopic displayscheme such as a stereoscopic scheme (a glass scheme), anauto-stereoscopic scheme (glassless scheme), a projection scheme(holographic scheme), or the like.

In general, a 3D stereoscopic image may include a left image (e.g., aleft eye image) and a right image (e.g., a right eye image). Accordingto how left and right images are combined into a 3D stereoscopic image,a 3D stereoscopic imaging method can be divided into a top-down methodin which left and right images are located up and down in a frame, anL-to-R (left-to-right or side by side) method in which left and rightimages are located left and right in a frame, a checker board method inwhich fragments of left and right images are located in a tile form, aninterlaced method in which left and right images are alternately locatedby columns or rows, and a time sequential (or frame by frame) method inwhich left and right images are alternately displayed on a time basis.

Also, as for a 3D thumbnail image, a left image thumbnail and a rightimage thumbnail can be generated from a left image and a right image ofan original image frame, respectively, and then combined to generate asingle 3D thumbnail image. In general, the term “thumbnail” may be usedto refer to a reduced image or a reduced still image. A generated leftimage thumbnail and right image thumbnail may be displayed with ahorizontal distance difference there between by a depth corresponding tothe disparity between the left image and the right image on the screen,thereby providing a stereoscopic space sense.

A left image and a right image required for implementing a 3Dstereoscopic image may be displayed on the stereoscopic display unitusing a stereoscopic processing unit. The stereoscopic processing unitcan receive the 3D image and extract the left image and the right image,or can receive the 2D image and change it into a left image and a rightimage.

The audio output module 152 is generally configured to output audiodata. Such audio data may be obtained from any of a number of differentsources, such that the audio data may be received from the wirelesscommunication unit 110 or may have been stored in the memory 170. Theaudio data may be output during modes such as a signal reception mode, acall mode, a record mode, a voice recognition mode, a broadcastreception mode, and the like. The audio output module 152 can provideaudible output related to a particular function (e.g., a call signalreception sound, a message reception sound, etc.) performed by themobile terminal 100. The audio output module 152 may also be implementedas a receiver, a speaker, a buzzer, or the like.

A haptic module 153 can be configured to generate various tactileeffects that a user feels, perceive, or otherwise experience. A typicalexample of a tactile effect generated by the haptic module 153 isvibration. The strength, pattern and the like of the vibration generatedby the haptic module 153 can be controlled by user selection or settingby the controller. For example, the haptic module 153 may outputdifferent vibrations in a combining manner or a sequential manner.

Besides vibration, the haptic module 153 can generate various othertactile effects, including an effect by stimulation such as a pinarrangement vertically moving to contact skin, a spray force or suctionforce of air through a jet orifice or a suction opening, a touch to theskin, a contact of an electrode, electrostatic force, an effect byreproducing the sense of cold and warmth using an element that canabsorb or generate heat, and the like.

The haptic module 153 can also be implemented to allow the user to feela tactile effect through a muscle sensation such as the user's fingersor arm, as well as transferring the tactile effect through directcontact. Two or more haptic modules 153 may be provided according to theparticular configuration of the mobile terminal 100.

An optical output module 154 can output a signal for indicating an eventgeneration using light of a light source. Examples of events generatedin the mobile terminal 100 may include message reception, call signalreception, a missed call, an alarm, a schedule notice, an emailreception, information reception through an application, and the like.

A signal output by the optical output module 154 may be implemented insuch a manner that the mobile terminal emits monochromatic light orlight with a plurality of colors. The signal output may be terminated asthe mobile terminal senses that a user has checked the generated event,for example.

The interface unit 160 serves as an interface for external devices to beconnected with the mobile terminal 100. For example, the interface unit160 can receive data transmitted from an external device, receive powerto transfer to elements and components within the mobile terminal 100,or transmit internal data of the mobile terminal 100 to such externaldevice. The interface unit 160 may include wired or wireless headsetports, external power supply ports, wired or wireless data ports, memorycard ports, ports for connecting a device having an identificationmodule, audio input/output (I/O) ports, video I/O ports, earphone ports,or the like.

The identification module may be a chip that stores various informationfor authenticating authority of using the mobile terminal 100 and mayinclude a user identity module (UIM), a subscriber identity module(SIM), a universal subscriber identity module (USIM), and the like. Inaddition, the device having the identification module (also referred toherein as an “identifying device”) may take the form of a smart card.Accordingly, the identifying device can be connected with the terminal100 via the interface unit 160.

When the mobile terminal 100 is connected with an external cradle, theinterface unit 160 can serve as a passage to allow power from the cradleto be supplied to the mobile terminal 100 or may serve as a passage toallow various command signals input by the user from the cradle to betransferred to the mobile terminal there through. Various commandsignals or power input from the cradle may operate as signals forrecognizing that the mobile terminal is properly mounted on the cradle.

The memory 170 can store programs to support operations of thecontroller 180 and store input/output data (for example, phonebook,messages, still images, videos, etc.). The memory 170 may store datarelated to various patterns of vibrations and audio which are output inresponse to touch inputs on the touch screen.

The memory 170 may include one or more types of storage mediumsincluding a Flash memory, a hard disk, a solid state disk, a silicondisk, a multimedia card micro type, a card-type memory (e.g., SD or DXmemory, etc), a Random Access Memory (RAM), a Static Random AccessMemory (SRAM), a Read-Only Memory (ROM), an Electrically ErasableProgrammable Read-Only Memory (EEPROM), a Programmable Read-Only memory(PROM), a magnetic memory, a magnetic disk, an optical disk, and thelike. The mobile terminal 100 may also be operated in relation to anetwork storage device that performs the storage function of the memory170 over a network, such as the Internet.

The controller 180 may typically control the general operations of themobile terminal 100. For example, the controller 180 may set or releasea lock state for restricting a user from inputting a control commandwith respect to applications when a status of the mobile terminal meetsa preset condition.

The controller 180 can also perform the controlling and processingassociated with voice calls, data communications, video calls, and thelike, or perform pattern recognition processing to recognize ahandwriting input or a picture drawing input performed on the touchscreen as characters or images, respectively. In addition, thecontroller 180 can control one or a combination of those components inorder to implement various exemplary embodiments disclosed herein.

The power supply unit 190 receives external power or provide internalpower and supply the appropriate power required for operating respectiveelements and components included in the mobile terminal 100. The powersupply unit 190 may include a battery, which is typically rechargeableor be detachably coupled to the terminal body for charging.

The power supply unit 190 may include a connection port. The connectionport may be configured as one example of the interface unit 160 to whichan external charger for supplying power to recharge the battery iselectrically connected.

As another example, the power supply unit 190 may be configured torecharge the battery in a wireless manner without use of the connectionport. In this example, the power supply unit 190 can receive power,transferred from an external wireless power transmitter, using at leastone of an inductive coupling method which is based on magnetic inductionor a magnetic resonance coupling method which is based onelectromagnetic resonance.

Various embodiments described herein may be implemented in acomputer-readable medium, a machine-readable medium, or similar mediumusing, for example, software, hardware, or any combination thereof.

Referring now to FIGS. 1B and 1C, the mobile terminal 100 is describedwith reference to a bar-type terminal body. However, the mobile terminal100 may alternatively be implemented in any of a variety of differentconfigurations. Examples of such configurations include watch-type,clip-type, glasses-type, or as a folder-type, flip-type, slide-type,swing-type, and swivel-type in which two and more bodies are combinedwith each other in a relatively movable manner, and combinationsthereof. Discussion herein will often relate to a particular type ofmobile terminal (for example, bar-type, watch-type, glasses-type, andthe like). However, such teachings with regard to a particular type ofmobile terminal will generally apply to other types of mobile terminalsas well.

The mobile terminal 100 will generally include a case (for example,frame, housing, cover, and the like) forming the appearance of theterminal.

In this embodiment, the case is formed using a front case 101 and a rearcase 102. Various electronic components are incorporated into a spaceformed between the front case 101 and the rear case 102. At least onemiddle case may be additionally positioned between the front case 101and the rear case 102.

The display unit 151 is shown located on the front side of the terminalbody to output information. As illustrated, a window 151 a of thedisplay unit 151 may be mounted to the front case 101 to form the frontsurface of the terminal body together with the front case 101.

In some embodiments, electronic components may also be mounted to therear case 102. Examples of such electronic components include adetachable battery 191, an identification module, a memory card, and thelike. Rear cover 103 is shown covering the electronic components, andthis cover may be detachably coupled to the rear case 102. Therefore,when the rear cover 103 is detached from the rear case 102, theelectronic components mounted to the rear case 102 are externallyexposed.

As illustrated, when the rear cover 103 is coupled to the rear case 102,a side surface of the rear case 102 is partially exposed. In some cases,upon the coupling, the rear case 102 may also be completely shielded bythe rear cover 103. In some embodiments, the rear cover 103 may includean opening for externally exposing a camera 121 b or an audio outputmodule 152 b.

The cases 101, 102, 103 may be formed by injection-molding syntheticresin or may be formed of a metal, for example, stainless steel (STS),aluminum (Al), titanium (Ti), or the like.

As an alternative to the example in which the plurality of cases form aninner space for accommodating components, the mobile terminal 100 may beconfigured such that one case forms the inner space. In this example, amobile terminal 100 having a uni-body is formed in such a manner thatsynthetic resin or metal extends from a side surface to a rear surface.

If desired, the mobile terminal 100 may include a waterproofing unit(not shown) for preventing introduction of water into the terminal body.For example, the waterproofing unit may include a waterproofing memberwhich is located between the window 151 a and the front case 101,between the front case 101 and the rear case 102, or between the rearcase 102 and the rear cover 103, to hermetically seal an inner spacewhen those cases are coupled.

The mobile terminal 100 may include the display unit 151, first andsecond audio output units 152 a and 152 b, the proximity sensor 141, theillumination sensor 142, the optical output module 154, first and secondcameras 121 a and 121 b, first and second manipulation units 123 a and123 b, the microphone 122, the interface unit 160, and the like.

FIGS. 1B and 1C depict certain components as arranged on the mobileterminal.

However, it is to be understood that alternative arrangements arepossible and within the teachings of the instant disclosure. Somecomponents may be omitted or rearranged. For example, the firstmanipulation unit 123 a may be located on another surface of theterminal body, and the second audio output module 152 b may be locatedon the side surface of the terminal body.

The display unit 151 outputs information processed in the mobileterminal 100. The display unit 151 may be implemented using one or moresuitable display devices.

Examples of such suitable display devices include a liquid crystaldisplay (LCD), a thin film transistor-liquid crystal display (TFT-LCD),an organic light emitting diode (OLED), a flexible display, a3-dimensional (3D) display, an e-ink display, and combinations thereof.

The display unit 151 may be implemented using two display devices, whichcan implement the same or different display technology. For instance, aplurality of the display units 151 may be arranged on one side, eitherspaced apart from each other, or these devices may be integrated, orthese devices may be arranged on different surfaces.

The display unit 151 may also include a touch sensor which senses atouch input received at the display unit. When a touch is input to thedisplay unit 151, the touch sensor may be configured to sense this touchand the controller 180, for example, may generate a control command orother signal corresponding to the touch. The content which is input inthe touching manner may be a text or numerical value, or a menu itemwhich can be indicated or designated in various modes.

The touch sensor may be configured in a form of a film having a touchpattern, disposed between the window 151 a and a display on a rearsurface of the window 151 a, or a metal wire which is patterned directlyon the rear surface of the window 151 a. Alternatively, the touch sensormay be integrally formed with the display. For example, the touch sensormay be disposed on a substrate of the display or within the display.

The display unit 151 may also form a touch screen together with thetouch sensor. Here, the touch screen may serve as the user input unit123 (see FIG. 1A). Therefore, the touch screen may replace at least someof the functions of the first manipulation unit 123 a.

The first audio output module 152 a may be implemented in the form of aspeaker to output voice audio, alarm sounds, multimedia audioreproduction, and the like.

The window 151 a of the display unit 151 will typically include anaperture to permit audio generated by the first audio output module 152a to pass. One alternative is to allow audio to be released along anassembly gap between the structural bodies (for example, a gap betweenthe window 151 a and the front case 101). In this case, a holeindependently formed to output audio sounds may not be seen or isotherwise hidden in terms of appearance, thereby further simplifying theappearance and manufacturing of the mobile terminal 100.

The optical output module 154 can be configured to output light forindicating an event generation. Examples of such events include amessage reception, a call signal reception, a missed call, an alarm, aschedule notice, an email reception, information reception through anapplication, and the like. When a user has checked a generated event,the controller can control the optical output unit 154 to stop the lightoutput.

The first camera 121 a can process image frames such as still or movingimages obtained by the image sensor in a capture mode or a video callmode. The processed image frames can then be displayed on the displayunit 151 or stored in the memory 170.

The first and second manipulation units 123 a and 123 b are examples ofthe user input unit 123, which may be manipulated by a user to provideinput to the mobile terminal 100. The first and second manipulationunits 123 a and 123 b may also be commonly referred to as a manipulatingportion, and may employ any tactile method that allows the user toperform manipulation such as touch, push, scroll, or the like. The firstand second manipulation units 123 a and 123 b may also employ anynon-tactile method that allows the user to perform manipulation such asproximity touch, hovering, or the like.

FIG. 1B illustrates the first manipulation unit 123 a as a touch key,but possible alternatives include a mechanical key, a push key, a touchkey, and combinations thereof.

Input received at the first and second manipulation units 123 a and 123b may be used in various ways. For example, the first manipulation unit123 a may be used by the user to provide an input to a menu, home key,cancel, search, or the like, and the second manipulation unit 123 b maybe used by the user to provide an input to control a volume level beingoutput from the first or second audio output modules 152 a or 152 b, toswitch to a touch recognition mode of the display unit 151, or the like.

As another example of the user input unit 123, a rear input unit (notshown) may be located on the rear surface of the terminal body. The rearinput unit can be manipulated by a user to provide input to the mobileterminal 100. The input may be used in a variety of different ways. Forexample, the rear input unit may be used by the user to provide an inputfor power on/off, start, end, scroll, control volume level being outputfrom the first or second audio output modules 152 a or 152 b, switch toa touch recognition mode of the display unit 151, and the like. The rearinput unit may be configured to permit touch input, a push input, orcombinations thereof.

The rear input unit may be located to overlap the display unit 151 ofthe front side in a thickness direction of the terminal body. As oneexample, the rear input unit may be located on an upper end portion ofthe rear side of the terminal body such that a user can easilymanipulate it using a forefinger when the user grabs the terminal bodywith one hand. Alternatively, the rear input unit can be positioned atmost any location of the rear side of the terminal body.

Embodiments that include the rear input unit may implement some or allof the functionality of the first manipulation unit 123 a in the rearinput unit. As such, in situations where the first manipulation unit 123a is omitted from the front side, the display unit 151 can have a largerscreen.

As a further alternative, the mobile terminal 100 may include a fingerscan sensor which scans a user's fingerprint. The controller 180 canthen use fingerprint information sensed by the finger scan sensor aspart of an authentication procedure. The finger scan sensor may also beinstalled in the display unit 151 or implemented in the user input unit123.

The microphone 122 is shown located at an end of the mobile terminal100, but other locations are possible. If desired, multiple microphonesmay be implemented, with such an arrangement permitting the receiving ofstereo sounds.

The interface unit 160 may serve as a path allowing the mobile terminal100 to interface with external devices. For example, the interface unit160 may include one or more of a connection terminal for connecting toanother device (for example, an earphone, an external speaker, or thelike), a port for near field communication (for example, an InfraredData Association (IrDA) port, a Bluetooth port, a wireless LAN port, andthe like), or a power supply terminal for supplying power to the mobileterminal 100. The interface unit 160 may be implemented in the form of asocket for accommodating an external card, such as SubscriberIdentification Module (SIM), User Identity Module (UIM), or a memorycard for information storage.

The second camera 121 b is shown located at the rear side of theterminal body and includes an image capturing direction that issubstantially opposite to the image capturing direction of the firstcamera unit 121 a. If desired, second camera 121 a may alternatively belocated at other locations, or made to be moveable, in order to have adifferent image capturing direction from that which is shown.

The second camera 121 b can include a plurality of lenses arranged alongat least one line. The plurality of lenses may also be arranged in amatrix configuration. The cameras may be referred to as an “arraycamera.” When the second camera 121 b is implemented as an array camera,images may be captured in various manners using the plurality of lensesand images with better qualities.

As shown in FIG. 1C, a flash 124 is shown adjacent to the second camera121 b. When an image of a subject is captured with the camera 121 b, theflash 124 may illuminate the subject.

As shown in FIG. 1B, the second audio output module 152 b can be locatedon the terminal body. The second audio output module 152 b may implementstereophonic sound functions in conjunction with the first audio outputmodule 152 a, and may be also used for implementing a speaker phone modefor call communication.

At least one antenna for wireless communication may be located on theterminal body. The antenna may be installed in the terminal body orformed by the case. For example, an antenna which configures a part ofthe broadcast receiving module 111 may be retractable into the terminalbody. Alternatively, an antenna may be formed using a film attached toan inner surface of the rear cover 103, or a case that includes aconductive material.

Also, the battery 191 can be recharged in a wireless manner using awireless charger. Wireless charging may be implemented by magneticinduction or electromagnetic resonance.

The rear cover 103 is shown coupled to the rear case 102 for shieldingthe battery 191, to prevent separation of the battery 191, and toprotect the battery 191 from an external impact or from foreignmaterial. When the battery 191 is detachable from the terminal body, therear case 103 may be detachably coupled to the rear case 102.

An accessory for protecting an appearance or assisting or extending thefunctions of the mobile terminal 100 can also be provided on the mobileterminal 100. As one example of an accessory, a cover or pouch forcovering or accommodating at least one surface of the mobile terminal100 may be provided. The cover or pouch may cooperate with the displayunit 151 to extend the function of the mobile terminal 100. Anotherexample of the accessory is a touch pen for assisting or extending atouch input to a touch screen.

Meanwhile, according to the present invention, information processed bythe mobile terminal can be displayed on a flexible display. Hereinafter,details will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

FIG. 2 is a conceptual view of a deformable mobile terminal according toan alternative embodiment of the present invention.

In this figure, mobile terminal 200 is shown having display unit 251,which is a type of display that is deformable by an external force. Thisdeformation, which includes display unit 251 and other components ofmobile terminal 200, may include any of curving, bending, folding,twisting, rolling, and combinations thereof. The deformable display unit251 may also be referred to as a “flexible display unit.” In someimplementations, the flexible display unit 251 may include a generalflexible display, electronic paper (also known as e-paper), andcombinations thereof. In general, mobile terminal 200 may be configuredto include features that are the same or similar to that of mobileterminal 100 of FIGS. 1A-1C.

The flexible display of mobile terminal 200 is generally formed as alightweight, non-fragile display, which still exhibits characteristicsof a conventional flat panel display, but is instead fabricated on aflexible substrate which can be deformed as noted previously.

The term e-paper may be used to refer to a display technology employingthe characteristic of a general ink, and is different from theconventional flat panel display in view of using reflected light.E-paper is generally understood as changing displayed information usinga twist ball or via electrophoresis using a capsule.

When in a state that the flexible display unit 251 is not deformed (forexample, in a state with an infinite radius of curvature and referred toas a first state), a display region of the flexible display unit 251includes a generally flat surface. When in a state that the flexibledisplay unit 251 is deformed from the first state by an external force(for example, a state with a finite radius of curvature and referred toas a second state), the display region may become a curved surface or abent surface. As illustrated, information displayed in the second statemay be visual information output on the curved surface. The visualinformation may be realized in such a manner that a light emission ofeach unit pixel (sub-pixel) arranged in a matrix configuration iscontrolled independently. The unit pixel denotes an elementary unit forrepresenting one color.

According to one alternative embodiment, the first state of the flexibledisplay unit 251 may be a curved state (for example, a state of beingcurved from up to down or from right to left), instead of being in flatstate. In this embodiment, when an external force is applied to theflexible display unit 251, the flexible display unit 251 may transitionto the second state such that the flexible display unit is deformed intothe flat state(or a less curved state) or into a more curved state.

If desired, the flexible display unit 251 may implement a flexible touchscreen using a touch sensor in combination with the display. When atouch is received at the flexible touch screen, the controller 180 canexecute certain control corresponding to the touch input. In general,the flexible touch screen is configured to sense touch and other inputwhile in both the first and second states.

One option is to configure the mobile terminal 200 to include adeformation sensor which senses the deforming of the flexible displayunit 251. The deformation sensor may be included in the sensing unit140.

The deformation sensor may be located in the flexible display unit 251or the case 201 to sense information related to the deforming of theflexible display unit 251. Examples of such information related to thedeforming of the flexible display unit 251 may be a deformed direction,a deformed degree, a deformed position, a deformed amount of time, anacceleration that the deformed flexible display unit 251 is restored,and the like. Other possibilities include most any type of informationwhich can be sensed in response to the curving of the flexible displayunit or sensed while the flexible display unit 251 is transitioninginto, or existing in, the first and second states.

In some embodiments, controller 180 or other component can changeinformation displayed on the flexible display unit 251, or generate acontrol signal for controlling a function of the mobile terminal 200,based on the information related to the deforming of the flexibledisplay unit 251. Such information is typically sensed by thedeformation sensor.

The mobile terminal 200 is shown having a case 201 for accommodating theflexible display unit 251. The case 201 can be deformable together withthe flexible display unit 251, taking into account the characteristicsof the flexible display unit 251.

A battery (not shown in this figure) located in the mobile terminal 200may also be deformable in cooperation with the flexible display unit261, taking into account the characteristic of the flexible display unit251. One technique to implement such a battery is to use a stack andfolding method of stacking battery cells.

The deformation of the flexible display unit 251 not limited to performby an external force. For example, the flexible display unit 251 can bedeformed into the second state from the first state by a user command,application command, or the like.

In accordance with still further embodiments, a mobile terminal may beconfigured as a device which is wearable on a human body. Such devicesgo beyond the usual technique of a user grasping the mobile terminalusing their hand. Examples of the wearable device include a smart watch,a smart glass, a head mounted display (HMD), and the like.

A typical wearable device can exchange data with (or cooperate with)another mobile terminal 100. In such a device, the wearable devicegenerally has functionality that is less than the cooperating mobileterminal. For instance, the short-range communication module 114 of amobile terminal 100 may sense or recognize a wearable device that isnear-enough to communicate with the mobile terminal. In addition, whenthe sensed wearable device is a device which is authenticated tocommunicate with the mobile terminal 100, the controller 180 maytransmit data processed in the mobile terminal 100 to the wearabledevice via the short-range communication module 114, for example. Hence,a user of the wearable device can use the data processed in the mobileterminal 100 on the wearable device. For example, when a call isreceived in the mobile terminal 100, the user can answer the call usingthe wearable device. Also, when a message is received in the mobileterminal 100, the user can check the received message using the wearabledevice.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view illustrating one example of a watch-typemobile terminal 300 in accordance with another exemplary embodiment.

As illustrated in FIG. 3, the watch-type mobile terminal 300 includes amain body 301 with a display unit 351 and a band 302 connected to themain body 301 to be wearable on a wrist. In general, mobile terminal 300may be configured to include features that are the same or similar tothat of mobile terminal 100 of FIGS. 1A-1C.

The main body 301 may include a case having a certain appearance. Asillustrated, the case may include a first case 301 a and a second case301 b cooperatively defining an inner space for accommodating variouselectronic components. Other configurations are possible. For instance,a single case may alternatively be implemented, with such a case beingconfigured to define the inner space, thereby implementing a mobileterminal 300 with a uni-body.

The watch-type mobile terminal 300 can perform wireless communication,and an antenna for the wireless communication can be installed in themain body 301. The antenna may extend its function using the case. Forexample, a case including a conductive material may be electricallyconnected to the antenna to extend a ground area or a radiation area.

The display unit 351 is shown located at the front side of the main body301 so that displayed information is viewable to a user. In someembodiments, the display unit 351 includes a touch sensor so that thedisplay unit can function as a touch screen. As illustrated, window 351a is positioned on the first case 301 a to form a front surface of theterminal body together with the first case 301 a.

The illustrated embodiment includes audio output module 352, a camera321, a microphone 322, and a user input unit 323 positioned on the mainbody 301. When the display unit 351 is implemented as a touch screen,additional function keys may be minimized or eliminated. For example,when the touch screen is implemented, the user input unit 323 may beomitted.

The band 302 is commonly worn on the user's wrist and may be made of aflexible material for facilitating wearing of the device. As oneexample, the band 302 may be made of fur, rubber, silicon, syntheticresin, or the like. The band 302 may also be configured to be detachablefrom the main body 301. Accordingly, the band 302 may be replaceablewith various types of bands according to a user's preference.

In one configuration, the band 302 may be used for extending theperformance of the antenna. For example, the band may include therein aground extending portion (not shown) electrically connected to theantenna to extend a ground area.

The band 302 may include fastener 302 a. The fastener 302 a may beimplemented into a buckle type, a snap-fit hook structure, a Velcro®type, or the like, and include a flexible section or material. Thedrawing illustrates an example that the fastener 302 a is implementedusing a buckle.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view illustrating one example of a glass-typemobile terminal 400 according to another exemplary embodiment.

The glass-type mobile terminal 400 can be wearable on a head of a humanbody and provided with a frame (case, housing, etc.) therefor. The framemay be made of a flexible material to be easily worn. The frame ofmobile terminal 400 is shown having a first frame 401 and a second frame402, which can be made of the same or different materials. In general,mobile terminal 400 may be configured to include features that are thesame or similar to that of mobile terminal 100 of FIGS. 1A-1C.

The frame may be supported on the head and defines a space for mountingvarious components. As illustrated, electronic components, such as acontrol module 480, an audio output module 452, and the like, may bemounted to the frame part. Also, a lens 403 for covering either or bothof the left and right eyes may be detachably coupled to the frame part.

The control module 480 controls various electronic components disposedin the mobile terminal 400. The control module 480 may be understood asa component corresponding to the aforementioned controller 180. FIG. 4illustrates that the control module 480 is installed in the frame parton one side of the head, but other locations are possible.

The display unit 451 may be implemented as a head mounted display (HMD).The HMD refers to display techniques by which a display is mounted to ahead to show an image directly in front of a user's eyes. In order toprovide an image directly in front of the user's eyes when the userwears the glass-type mobile terminal 400, the display unit 451 may belocated to correspond to either or both of the left and right eyes. FIG.4 illustrates that the display unit 451 is located on a portioncorresponding to the right eye to output an image viewable by the user'sright eye.

The display unit 451 may project an image into the user's eye using aprism. Also, the prism may be formed from optically transparent materialsuch that the user can view both the projected image and a generalvisual field (a range that the user views through the eyes) in front ofthe user.

In such a manner, the image output through the display unit 451 may beviewed while overlapping with the general visual field. The mobileterminal 400 may provide an augmented reality (AR) by overlaying avirtual image on a realistic image or background using the display.

The camera 421 may be located adjacent to either or both of the left andright eyes to capture an image. Since the camera 421 is located adjacentto the eye, the camera 421 can acquire a scene that the user iscurrently viewing.

The camera 421 may be positioned at most any location of the mobileterminal. In some embodiments, multiple cameras 421 may be utilized.Such multiple cameras 421 may be used to acquire a stereoscopic image.

The glass-type mobile terminal 400 may include user input units 423 aand 423 b, which can each be manipulated by the user to provide aninput. The user input units 423 a and 423 b may employ techniques whichpermit input via a tactile input. Typical tactile inputs include atouch, push, or the like. The user input units 423 a and 423 b are shownoperable in a pushing manner and a touching manner as they are locatedon the frame part and the control module 480, respectively.

If desired, mobile terminal 400 may include a microphone which processesinput sound into electric audio data, and an audio output module 452 foroutputting audio. The audio output module 452 may be configured toproduce audio in a general audio output manner or an osteoconductivemanner. When the audio output module 452 is implemented in theosteoconductive manner, the audio output module 452 may be closelyadhered to the head when the user wears the mobile terminal 400 andvibrate the user's skull to transfer sounds.

A communication system which is operable with the variously describedmobile terminals will now be described in more detail.

Such a communication system may be configured to utilize any of avariety of different air interfaces and/or physical layers. Examples ofsuch air interfaces utilized by the communication system includeFrequency Division Multiple Access (FDMA), Time Division Multiple Access(TDMA), Code Division Multiple Access (CDMA), Universal MobileTelecommunications System (UMTS) (including, Long Term Evolution (LTE),LTE-A (Long Term Evolution-Advanced)), Global System for MobileCommunications (GSM), and the like.

By way of a non-limiting example only, further description will relateto a CDMA communication system, but such teachings apply equally toother system types including a CDMA wireless communication system aswell as OFDM (Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiplexing) wirelesscommunication system.

A CDMA wireless communication system generally includes one or moremobile terminals (MT or User Equipment, UE) 100, one or more basestations (BSs, NodeB, or evolved NodeB), one or more base stationcontrollers (BSCs), and a mobile switching center (MSC). The MSC isconfigured to interface with a conventional Public Switched TelephoneNetwork (PSTN) and the BSCs. The BSCs are coupled to the base stationsvia backhaul lines. The backhaul lines may be configured in accordancewith any of several known interfaces including, for example, E1/T1, ATM,IP, PPP, Frame Relay, HDSL, ADSL, or xDSL. Hence, the plurality of BSCscan be included in the CDMA wireless communication system.

Each base station may include one or more sectors, each sector having anomni-directional antenna or an antenna pointed in a particular directionradially away from the base station. Alternatively, each sector mayinclude two or more different antennas. Each base station may beconfigured to support a plurality of frequency assignments, with eachfrequency assignment having a particular spectrum (e.g., 1.25 MHz, 5MHz, etc.).

The intersection of sector and frequency assignment may be referred toas a CDMA channel. The base stations may also be referred to as BaseStation Transceiver Subsystems (BTSs). In some cases, the term “basestation” may be used to refer collectively to a BSC, and one or morebase stations. The base stations may also be denoted as “cell sites.”Alternatively, individual sectors of a given base station may bereferred to as cell sites.

A broadcasting transmitter (BT) transmits a broadcast signal to themobile terminals 100 operating within the system. The broadcastreceiving module 111 of FIG. 1A is typically configured inside themobile terminal 100 to receive broadcast signals transmitted by the BT.

Global Positioning System (GPS) satellites for locating the position ofthe mobile terminal 100, for example, may cooperate with the CDMAwireless communication system. Useful position information may beobtained with greater or fewer satellites than two satellites. It is tobe appreciated that other types of position detection technology, (i.e.,location technology that may be used in addition to or instead of GPSlocation technology) may alternatively be implemented. If desired, atleast one of the GPS satellites may alternatively or additionally beconfigured to provide satellite DMB transmissions.

The location information module 115 is generally configured to detect,calculate, or otherwise identify a position of the mobile terminal. Asan example, the location information module 115 may include a GlobalPosition System (GPS) module, a Wi-Fi module, or both. If desired, thelocation information module 115 may alternatively or additionallyfunction with any of the other modules of the wireless communicationunit 110 to obtain data related to the position of the mobile terminal.

A typical GPS module 115 can measure an accurate time and distance fromthree or more satellites, and accurately calculate a current location ofthe mobile terminal according to trigonometry based on the measured timeand distances. A method of acquiring distance and time information fromthree satellites and performing error correction with a single satellitemay be used. In particular, the GPS module may acquire an accurate timetogether with three-dimensional speed information as well as thelocation of the latitude, longitude and altitude values from thelocation information received from the satellites. Furthermore, the GPSmodule can acquire speed information in real time to calculate a currentposition. Sometimes, accuracy of a measured position may be compromisedwhen the mobile terminal is located in a blind spot of satellitesignals, such as being located in an indoor space. In order to minimizethe effect of such blind spots, an alternative or supplemental locationtechnique, such as Wi-Fi Positioning System (WPS), may be utilized.

The Wi-Fi positioning system (WPS) refers to a location determinationtechnology based on a wireless local area network (WLAN) using Wi-Fi asa technology for tracking the location of the mobile terminal 100. Thistechnology typically includes the use of a Wi-Fi module in the mobileterminal 100 and a wireless access point for communicating with theWi-Fi module.

The Wi-Fi positioning system may include a Wi-Fi location determinationserver, a mobile terminal, a wireless access point (AP) connected to themobile terminal, and a database stored with wireless AP information.

The mobile terminal connected to the wireless AP may transmit a locationinformation request message to the Wi-Fi location determination server.

The Wi-Fi location determination server extracts the information of thewireless AP connected to the mobile terminal 100, based on the locationinformation request message (or signal) of the mobile terminal 100. Theinformation of the wireless AP may be transmitted to the Wi-Fi locationdetermination server through the mobile terminal 100, or may betransmitted to the Wi-Fi location determination server from the wirelessAP.

The information of the wireless AP extracted based on the locationinformation request message of the mobile terminal 100 may include oneor more of media access control (MAC) address, service setidentification (SSID), received signal strength indicator (RSSI),reference signal received Power (RSRP), reference signal receivedquality (RSRQ), channel information, privacy, network type, signalstrength, noise strength, and the like.

The Wi-Fi location determination server may receive the information ofthe wireless AP connected to the mobile terminal 100 as described above,and may extract wireless AP information corresponding to the wireless APconnected to the mobile terminal from the pre-established database. Theinformation of any wireless APs stored in the database may beinformation such as MAC address, SSID, RSSI, channel information,privacy, network type, latitude and longitude coordinate, building atwhich the wireless AP is located, floor number, detailed indoor locationinformation (GPS coordinate available), AP owner's address, phonenumber, and the like. In order to remove wireless APs provided using amobile AP or an illegal MAC address during a location determiningprocess, the Wi-Fi location determination server may extract only apredetermined number of wireless AP information in order of high RSSI.

Then, the Wi-Fi location determination server may extract (analyze)location information of the mobile terminal 100 using at least onewireless AP information extracted from the database.

A method for extracting (analyzing) location information of the mobileterminal 100 may include a Cell-ID method, a fingerprint method, atrigonometry method, a landmark method, and the like.

The Cell-ID method is used to determine a position of a wireless APhaving the largest signal strength, among peripheral wireless APinformation collected by a mobile terminal, as a position of the mobileterminal. The Cell-ID method is an implementation that is minimallycomplex, does not require additional costs, and location information canbe rapidly acquired. However, in the Cell-ID method, the precision ofpositioning may fall below a desired threshold when the installationdensity of wireless APs is low.

The fingerprint method is used to collect signal strength information byselecting a reference position from a service area, and to track aposition of a mobile terminal using the signal strength informationtransmitted from the mobile terminal based on the collected information.In order to use the fingerprint method, it is common for thecharacteristics of radio signals to be pre-stored in the form of adatabase.

The trigonometry method is used to calculate a position of a mobileterminal based on a distance between coordinates of at least threewireless APs and the mobile terminal. In order to measure the distancebetween the mobile terminal and the wireless APs, signal strength may beconverted into distance information, Time of Arrival (ToA), TimeDifference of Arrival (TDoA), Angle of Arrival (AoA), or the like may betaken for transmitted wireless signals.

The landmark method is used to measure a position of a mobile terminalusing a known landmark transmitter.

In addition to these position location methods, various algorithms maybe used to extract (analyze) location information of a mobile terminal.

Such extracted location information may be transmitted to the mobileterminal 100 through the Wi-Fi location determination server, therebyacquiring location information of the mobile terminal 100.

The mobile terminal 100 can acquire location information by beingconnected to at least one wireless AP. The number of wireless APsrequired to acquire location information of the mobile terminal 100 maybe variously changed according to a wireless communication environmentwithin which the mobile terminal 100 is positioned.

As previously described with regard to FIG. 1A, the mobile terminal maybe configured to include short-range communication techniques such asBluetooth™, Radio Frequency Identification (RFID), Infrared DataAssociation (IrDA), Ultra Wideband (UWB), ZigBee, Near FieldCommunication (NFC), Wireless USB (Wireless Universal Serial Bus), andthe like.

A typical NFC module provided at the mobile terminal supportsshort-range wireless communication, which is a non-contactable type ofcommunication between mobile terminals and generally occurs within about10 cm. The NFC module may operate in one of a card mode, a reader mode,or a P2P mode. The mobile terminal 100 may further include a securitymodule for storing card information, in order to operate the NFC modulein a card mode. The security module may be a physical medium such asUniversal Integrated Circuit Card (UICC) (e.g., a SubscriberIdentification Module (SIM) or Universal SIM (USIM)), a secure micro SDand a sticker, or a logical medium (e.g., embedded Secure Element (SE))embedded in the mobile terminal. Single Wire Protocol (SWP)-based dataexchange may be performed between the NFC module and the securitymodule.

In a case where the NFC module operates in a card mode, the mobileterminal may transmit card information on a general IC card to theoutside. More specifically, if a mobile terminal having card informationon a payment card (e. g, a credit card or a bus card) approaches a cardreader, a short-range mobile payment may be executed. As anotherexample, if a mobile terminal which stores card information on anentrance card approaches an entrance card reader, an entrance approvalprocedure may start. A card such as a credit card, a traffic card, or anentrance card may be included in the security module in the form ofapplet, and the security module may store card information on the cardmounted therein. Card information for a payment card may include any ofa card number, a remaining amount and usage history, and the like. Cardinformation of an entrance card may include any of a user's name, auser's number (e.g., undergraduate number or staff number), an entrancehistory, and the like.

When the NFC module operates in a reader mode, the mobile terminal canread data from an external tag. The data received from the external tagby the mobile terminal may be coded into the NFC Data Exchange Formatdefined by the NFC Forum. The NFC Forum generally defines four recordtypes. More specifically, the NFC Forum defines four Record TypeDefinitions (RTDs) such as smart poster, text, Uniform ResourceIdentifier (URI), and general control. If the data received from theexternal tag is a smart poster type, the controller may execute abrowser (e.g., Internet browser). If the data received from the externaltag is a text type, the controller may execute a text viewer. If thedata received from the external tag is a URI type, the controller mayexecute a browser or originate a call. If the data received from theexternal tag is a general control type, the controller may execute aproper operation according to control content.

In some cases in which the NFC module operates in a P2P (Peer-to-Peer)mode, the mobile terminal can execute P2P communication with anothermobile terminal. In this case, Logical Link Control Protocol (LLCP) maybe applied to the P2P communication. For P2P communication, connectionmay be generated between the mobile terminal and another mobileterminal. This connection may be categorized as a connectionless modewhich ends after one packet is switched, and a connection-oriented modein which packets are switched consecutively. For a typical P2Pcommunication, data such as an electronic type name card, addressinformation, a digital photo and a URL, a setup parameter for Bluetoothconnection, Wi-Fi connection, etc. may be switched. The P2P mode can beeffectively utilized in switching data of a small capacity, because anavailable distance for NFC communication is relatively short.

Further preferred embodiments will be described in more detail withreference to additional drawing figures. It is understood by thoseskilled in the art that the present features can be embodied in severalforms without departing from the characteristics thereof.

In addition, the embodiments of the present invention will be describedon the premise of the mobile terminal 100 shown in FIGS. 1A to 1C.However, in some embodiments, one of the mobile terminal 200 of FIG. 2,mobile terminal 300 of FIG. 3 and mobile terminal 400 in FIG. 4 may beused.

According the following embodiments of the present invention, a user ofthe mobile terminal 100 can virtually arrange furniture on an imagecorresponding to a specific space, which is displayed on the displayunit 151, and then exchange opinions about the furniture arrangementwith many people. Hereinafter, the embodiments of the present inventionwill be described in detail with reference to FIGS. 5 to 27.

FIG. 5 is a diagram for explaining functions of a specific applicationexecuted by a mobile terminal according to an embodiment of the presentinvention.

Referring to FIG. 5, the controller 180 of the mobile terminal 100displays an execution screen 500 of a specific application on thedisplay unit 151. Here, the specific application is an applicationhaving a function of allowing a user to virtually arrange furniture onan image corresponding to a specific space, and it can also provide afunction of allowing the user to chat with users of a predeterminedexternal device, where the specific application is installed. Inaddition, the specific application may be an application provided by afurniture company or an application provided by another companyassociated with the furniture company.

The specific application may be an application embedded in the mobileterminal 100, an application installed in the mobile terminal 100 whenthe operating system or firmware is upgraded, or an applicationdownloaded from an external server and installed by the user of themobile terminal 100.

The execution screen 500 may at least include a first area 510 fordisplaying a first image 511 corresponding to the specific space, asecond area 520 for displaying information 521 on a plurality of piecesof furniture that can be virtually arranged in the first image 510, anda third area 530 including a chat room 531 for exchanging opinions aboutthe virtual furniture arrangement in the first image 510 with at leastone user using the predetermined external device where the specificapplication is installed. Here, the virtual furniture arrangement maymean that an image of furniture is arranged in the first image 510corresponding to the specific space instead of actually placing thefurniture in the specific space.

In some embodiments, the third area 530 including the chat room 531 maybe first displayed on the display unit 151 of the mobile terminal 100,and then the execution screen 500 for the virtual furniture arrangementmay be displayed while the user is chatting with users of the externaldevice.

The first image 511 may be an image corresponding to the specific spacewhere furniture can be virtually arranged. That is, the first image 511may be an image corresponding to the space selected by the user of themobile terminal 100 for the virtual furniture arrangement.

In addition, the first image 511 may include at least one of an imagestored in the memory 170 of the mobile terminal 100, a preview imageobtained by the camera 121 of the mobile terminal 100, and an imagereceived from an external server or device through the wirelesscommunication unit 110.

Moreover, the first image 511 may be a still image or video image.

Further, the first image 511 may include at least one of a 2-dimensional(2D) image, a 3-dimensional (3D) image, and a 3D reconstruction image.Here, the 3D image may be an image where objects in the image have depthallowing the user to recognize the objects, and the 3D reconstructionimage may be an image obtained by capturing images of a specific objectin multiple angles and then reconstructing the specific object in 3D. Inparticular, the 3D reconstruction image may mean an image where thestructure, interior, and furniture of a specific space are expressed in3D.

The first area 510 may include a plurality of taps 512, 513, and 514. Inthis case, the taps 512 and 513 may be associated with the specificspace previously selected for the virtual furniture arrangement, and thetap 514 may be used to select a new specific space for the virtualfurniture arrangement. In FIG. 5, it is assumed that the tap 513 isselected by the user and the first image 511 corresponding to the livingroom is displayed in the first area 510. For example, if the tap 512 isselected by the user, an image corresponding to my room may be displayedin the first area 510. If the tap 514 is selected by the user, an imagecorresponding to the new specific space selected by the user may bedisplayed in the first area 510.

The memory 170 can store information of the first image 511. Forexample, the information of the first image 511 may include at least oneof size information of the specific space corresponding to the firstimage 511, location information of the furniture previously placed inthe specific space, shape information of the furniture previously placedin the specific space, and size information of the furniture previouslyplaced in the specific space.

The acquisition and selection of the first image 511 and the informationof the first image 511 will be described in detail later with referenceto FIGS. 6 to 9.

The second area 520 displays the information 521 on the plurality ofpieces of furniture that can be virtually arranged. The furnitureinformation 521 displayed in the second area 520 may include at leastone of name information, image information, feature information (shape,texture, etc.), size information, and color information related to thefurniture.

When the furniture information 521 is loaded in the second area 520, thecontroller 180 may store at least part of the furniture informationdisplayed in the second area 520 in the memory 170.

The furniture information 521 displayed in the second area 520 mayinclude at least one of information stored in the memory 170 of themobile terminal 100, information extracted from an image (or previewimage) obtained by the camera 121 of the mobile terminal 100,information received from the external server or device through thewireless communication unit 110, information obtained from an externalquick response (QR) code, and information obtained from an externalbarcode.

The second area 520 may include a menu 522. The menu 522 may correspondto a menu for adding furniture information to be displayed in the secondarea 520.

The acquisition and selection of the furniture information 521 displayedin the second area 520 will be described in detail later with referenceto FIGS. 11 and 12.

The third area 530 includes the chat room 531 for exchanging opinionsabout the virtual furniture arrangement with many people. The user ofthe mobile terminal 100 may invite, as members of the chat room 531,users whose opinions about the virtual furniture arrangement the userdesires to share among users of the external device where the specificapplication is installed. In this case, the user of the mobile terminal100 can be referred to as a master member, and the users of the externaldevice who are invited to the chat room 531 can be referred to asnon-master members.

The chat room 531 in the third area 530 includes a chat input window 532for inputting a text. The user of the mobile terminal 100 can input achat message to the chat room 531 by inputting a text to the chat inputwindow 532 using a virtual keyboard and selecting a transmission menu533.

The external server managing the specific application transmits a signalincluding a text inputted by a member of the chat room 531 to the mobileterminal 100. The controller 180 of the mobile terminal 100 may display,in the chat room 531, a chat window 540 including the text inputted bythe member of the chat room 531 based on the signal received through thewireless communication unit 110. By doing so, the user of the mobileterminal 100 can exchange opinions with a plurality of members whilevirtually arranging furniture in the first image 511.

FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating examples of a first image displayed ina first area of an execution screen of the specific application executedby the mobile terminal according to an embodiment of the presentinvention. The features described above with reference to FIG. 5 will beomitted herein to avoid redundant description.

The controller 180 of the mobile terminal 100 displays the executionscreen 500 of the specific application on the display unit 151, and theexecution screen 500 includes the first area 510 for displaying thefirst image 511 corresponding to the specific space.

Referring to FIG. 6(a), the first image 511 may be a 2D or 3D image. Theuser of the mobile terminal 100 can change a part of the first image 511displayed in the first area 510 by touching a point on the first imagedisplayed in the first area 510 and dragging the point in apredetermined direction. That is, the total size of the first image 511may be greater than that of a display area of the first area 510. Inaddition, the user of the mobile terminal 100 can decrease or increasemagnification of the first image 511 displayed in the first area 510 bytouching two points on the first image 511 displayed in the first area510 and dragging the two points inside and outside.

Referring to FIG. 6(b), the first image 511 may be a 3D reconstructionimage. The controller 180 of the mobile terminal 100 may obtain the 3Dreconstruction image from the external server or device or generate the3D reconstruction image corresponding to the specific space based on atleast one of images stored in the memory 170, images obtained by thecamera 121, and images transmitted from the external server or device.The memory 170 may store an algorithm for generating a 3D reconstructionimage from a plurality of images in advance. Other features are the sameas those described with reference to FIG. 6(a), they will not bedescribed again.

Meanwhile, referring to FIG. 6(c), the user of the mobile terminal 100can check information on the specific space in different angle. Forexample, the first area 510 for displaying the first image 411 mayinclude a menu option 610 for enabling the user to check a floor plan ofthe specific space corresponding to the first image 511. When a commandfor selecting the menu option 610 is inputted, the controller 180 of themobile terminal 100 may display a second image 620 corresponding to thefloor plan of the specific space in the first area 510. The second image620 may be displayed in the first area 510 instead of the first image511. Alternatively, the second image 620 may be overlaid with at leastpart of the first image 511. The controller 180 of the mobile terminal100 may obtain the second image 620 corresponding to the floor plan ofthe specific space from the external server or device or generate thesecond image 620 based on information extracted from the first image511. When a command for selecting a menu option 621, which is configuredto go back to the previous screen, is inputted, the controller 180 ofthe mobile terminal 100 may eliminate the second image 620 from thefirst area and then display the first image 511 in the first area 510again.

FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating an example of a method for loading thefirst image in the first area of the execution screen of the specificapplication executed by the mobile terminal according to an embodimentof the present invention. The features described above will be omittedherein to avoid redundant description.

The controller 180 of the mobile terminal 100 displays the executionscreen 500 of the specific application on the display unit 151, and theexecution screen 500 includes the first area 510 for displaying thefirst image 511 corresponding to the specific space.

In addition, the execution screen 500 includes a menu option 701corresponding to a function of selecting the first image 511 to bedisplayed in the first area 510. Through the menu option 701, the userof the mobile terminal 100 may select a specific image as the firstimage 511 to be displayed in the first area 510 or change an imagealready displayed in the first area 510 to another image.

When a command for selecting the menu option 701 is inputted, thecontroller 180 of the mobile terminal 100 may display a GUI 700including a plurality of menus for selecting the first image 511 to bedisplayed in the first area 510 on the execution screen 600.

The GUI 700 may include at least one of a first menu 710 for selecting apreview image obtained by a camera 710 or a capture image obtained bycapturing the preview image as the first image 511, a second menu 720for selecting an image previously stored in a gallery application (orthe memory 170) as the first image 511, and a third menu 730 forselecting an image received from the external server or device as thefirst image 511.

If the first menu 710 in the GUI 700 is selected, the controller 180 ofthe mobile terminal 100 may activate the camera 121 and then display apreview image obtained by the camera 121 on the display unit 151. Theuser of the mobile terminal 100 may select as the first image 511 thepreview image, a capture image obtained by capturing the preview imageat a certain time, or an image obtained by combining (or synthesizing) aplurality of capture images.

In addition, if the second menu 720 in the GUI 700 is selected, thecontroller 180 of the mobile terminal 100 may launch the galleryapplication and then display an execution screen including a pluralityof images on the display unit 151. Here, the plurality of images mayinclude at least one of a still image, video image, 2D image, 3D image,and 3D reconstruction image. Additionally, each of the plurality ofimages may be an image corresponding to a specific space, and it may betagged with information on the specific space. Here, the information onthe specific space may include at least one of size information of thespecific space, location information of the furniture previously placedin the specific space, shape information of the furniture previouslyplaced in the specific space, and size information of an empty area inthe specific space.

In some embodiments, when the corresponding image is obtained by thecamera 121 of the mobile terminal, the information on the specific spacemay be extracted by analyzing an RGB image. Alternatively, when thecamera 121 is a depth camera, the information on the specific space maybe extracted from information obtained by the depth camera.

In addition, in some embodiments, the information on the specific spacemay be information directly inputted by the user of the mobile terminal100, information received from the external server or device, orinformation read from an external QR code or barcode.

Further, if the third menu 730 in the GUI 700 is selected, thecontroller 180 of the mobile terminal 100 may display, on the displayunit 151, an additional menu for selecting the external server fromwhich an image will be downloaded or an additional menu for selectingthe external device from which an image will be transmitted. Thecontroller 180 of the mobile terminal 100 may store an image receivedfrom the external server or device in the memory 170 and then display asthe first image 511 the received image in the first area 510.

Meanwhile, the case in which the user selects the first menu 710 in theGUI 700 will be described in detail later with reference to FIG. 8, andthe case in which the user selects the third menu 730 in the GUI 700will also be described in detail later with reference to FIG. 9.

FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating an example of a method for obtainingthe first image on which furniture can be virtually arranged by using acamera of the mobile terminal according to an embodiment of the presentinvention. The features described above will be omitted herein to avoidredundant description.

If the first menu 710 in the GUI 700 is selected, the controller 180 ofthe mobile terminal may activate the camera 121 and then display apreview image obtained by the camera 121 on the display unit 151. Theuser of the mobile terminal 100 may obtain an image corresponding to aspecific space 800 by adjusting a location of the camera 121.

The user of the mobile terminal 100 may photograph an imagecorresponding to a desired portion of the specific space 800 inconsideration of an angle of view of the camera 121 and then select thephotographed image as the first image 511. Alternatively, the user ofthe mobile terminal 100 may obtains a plurality of image by moving thecamera 121 and then select as the first image an image obtained bycombining the obtained plurality of images.

In some embodiments, the camera 121 may include an RGB camera and depthcamera. Here, the depth camera can be configured to obtain informationon a distance to an object to be photographed.

Based on an image obtained by the RGB camera and distance informationobtained by the depth camera, the controller 180 of the mobile terminal100 may extract object information (e.g., structure, interior,furniture, empty area, and the like of the specific space) from theobtained image and then extract size information of the extracted objectinformation. Thereafter, the controller 180 of the mobile terminal 100may perform mapping between the obtained image and extracted informationto store the obtained image and extracted information in the memory 170.By doing so, the controller 180 of the mobile terminal 100 may grasp atleast one of size information of the specific space corresponding to thefirst image 511, location information of location information of thefurniture previously placed in the specific space, shape information ofthe furniture previously placed in the specific space, and sizeinformation of the furniture previously placed in the specific space. Insome embodiments, to grasp the information on the specific space, thecontroller 180 may use information inputted from the user or informationreceived from the external server or device.

Alternatively, in some embodiments, the camera 121 may be implementedusing a dual camera (or dual-lens camera), and thus the controller 180may obtain information on a distance to an object to be photographedbased on an image obtained by the dual camera.

Meanwhile, in some embodiments, when the camera 121 does not include thedepth camera or dual camera, the controller 180 may extract theabove-described information on the specific space by considering therelative sizes of objects in an image obtained by the camera 121.

FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating an example of a method for obtaining,from an external device, the first image on which furniture can bevirtually arranged in the mobile terminal according to an embodiment ofthe present invention. The features described above will be omittedherein to avoid redundant description.

If the third menu 730 in the GUI 700 is selected, the controller 180 ofthe mobile terminal 100 may display, on the display unit 151, anadditional menu for selecting the external server from which an imagewill be downloaded or an additional menu for selecting the externaldevice from which an image will be transmitted. In the presentembodiment, it is assumed that the user of the mobile terminal 100selects a robotic vacuum cleaner 901 supporting wireless communicationwith the mobile terminal 100 as the external device from which an imagewill be transmitted.

The controller 180 of the mobile terminal 100 receives an image obtainedby a camera of the robotic vacuum cleaner 901 in home through thewireless communication unit 110, and the user of the mobile terminal mayselect the image as the first image 511. In some embodiments, thecontroller 180 of the mobile terminal 100 may adjust an angle of thecamera of the robotic vacuum cleaner 901.

The user of the mobile terminal 100 may select, as the first image 511,the image obtained by the robotic vacuum cleaner 901, a part of theimage obtained by the robotic vacuum cleaner 901, or at least part of animage obtained by combining a plurality of images obtained by therobotic vacuum cleaner 901.

For example, the controller 180 of the mobile terminal 100 may extractthe above-described information on the specific space by considering therelative sizes of objects in the image obtained by the robotic vacuumcleaner 901. If the robotic vacuum cleaner 901 includes a depth camera,the controller 180 of the mobile terminal 100 may extract theabove-described information on the specific space using an RGB image anddistance information obtained by the depth camera.

FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating another example of an execution screenof the specific application executed by the mobile terminal according tothe present invention. The features described above will be omittedherein to avoid redundant description.

Referring to FIG. 10, the controller 180 of the mobile terminal 100displays an execution screen 1000 of the specific application on thedisplay unit 151. Here, the execution screen 1000 may include a spacelist of specific spaces in which furniture will be spaced. The executionscreen 1000 may include at least one of a name 1001 of a specific space,an image 1002 corresponding to the specific space, and information 1003on the specific space for each specific space. In addition, theexecution screen 1000 may further include a menu option 1010 for addinga specific space in which furniture can be virtually arranged.

The execution screen 1000 shown in FIG. 10 may correspond to the firstarea 510 of the execution screen 500 shown in FIG. 5. Alternatively, insome embodiments, when a specific place is selected from the space liston the execution screen 1000, the execution screen 500 shown in FIG. 5may be displayed on the display unit 151.

FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating an example of a method for loadingfurniture information in a second area of the execution screen of thespecific application executed by the mobile terminal according to anembodiment of the present invention. The features described above willbe omitted herein to avoid redundant description.

The controller 180 of the mobile terminal 100 displays the executionscreen 500 of the specific application on the display unit 151, and theexecution screen 500 includes the second area 520 for displaying theinformation 521 on the plurality of pieces of furniture that can bevirtually arranged in the first image 510.

The second area 520 may include the menu 522 for adding furnitureinformation to be displayed in the second area 520. The user of themobile terminal 100 may select/add furniture information to be displayedin the second area 520 through the menu 522.

When a command for selecting the menu 522 is inputted, the controller180 of the mobile terminal 100 may display a GUI 1100 including aplurality of menus for selecting furniture information to be displayedin the second area 520 on the execution screen 500.

The GUI 1100 may include at least one of a first menu 1110 for selectingfurniture information obtained from a preview image obtained by a camera1110 or a capture image obtained by capturing the preview image, asecond menu 1120 for selecting furniture information obtained from anexternal barcode, a third menu 1130 for selecting furniture informationtransmitted from the external server or device, a fourth menu 1140 forselecting furniture information obtained from an external QR code, afifth menu 1150 for selecting furniture information previously stored inthe gallery application (or the memory 170), and a sixth menu 1160 forselecting furniture information corresponding to a furniture listpreviously stored in the memory 170. For example, the sixth menu 1160may be a furniture list provided by a specific furniture company, andmore particularly, correspond to a list including several pieces offurniture currently on sale by the specific furniture company orinformation of several pieces of furniture which were virtually arrangedusing the specific application.

If the first menu 1110 in the GUI 1100 is selected, the controller 180of the mobile terminal 100 may activate the camera 121 and then displaya preview image obtained by the camera 121 on the display unit 151. Theuser of the mobile terminal 100 may photograph an image of a desiredpiece of furniture using the camera 121. The controller 180 of themobile terminal 100 may extract furniture information based on theobtained image. In this case, the furniture information may include atleast one of name information, image information, feature information(shape, texture, etc.), size information, and color information relatedto the furniture.

For example, the controller 180 of the mobile terminal 100 may extractthe name information, feature information, and color information of thefurniture by performing edge detection, color detection, and the like onthe obtained image and also obtain the size information of the furnitureby comparing the relative sizes of objects included in the obtainedimage.

As another example, when the camera 121 includes a depth camera or isimplemented using a dual camera, the controller 180 of the mobileterminal 100 may obtain accurate furniture size information based ondistance information obtained by the camera 121. In some embodiments, tograsp furniture information, the controller 180 of the mobile terminal100 may use information inputted from the user or information receivedfrom the external server or device. Further, the controller 180 of themobile terminal 100 may display at least part of the obtained furnitureinformation in the second area 520.

If the second menu 1120 in the GUI 1100 is selected, the controller 180of the mobile terminal 100 may activate camera 121. The user of themobile terminal 100 may photograph an external barcode using theactivated camera 121. The external barcode may include information of aspecific piece of furniture or information of each of a plurality ofpieces of furniture. The controller 180 of the mobile terminal 100 mayobtain furniture information included in the barcode by analyzing thebarcode included in the obtained image. In addition, the controller 180of the mobile terminal 100 may display at least part of the obtainedfurniture information in the second area 520. However, the barcode ismerely an example, and it is a matter of course that information of aspecific piece of furniture can be obtained from a different form ofcode, which indicates information.

If the third menu 1130 in the GUI 1100 is selected, the controller 180of the mobile terminal 100 may display an additional menu for selectingthe external server from which furniture information will be downloadedor an additional menu for selecting the external device from whichfurniture information will be transmitted. The controller 180 of themobile terminal 100 may store the furniture information received fromthe external server or device in the memory 170 and then display thereceived furniture information in the second area 520.

If the second menu 1140 in the GUI 1100 is selected, the controller 180of the mobile terminal 100 may activate the camera 121. The user of themobile terminal 100 may photograph an external QR code using theactivated camera 121. The external QR code may include information of aspecific piece of furniture or information of each of a plurality ofpieces of furniture. The controller 180 of the mobile terminal 100 mayobtain furniture information included in the QR code by analyzing the QRcode included in the obtained image. In addition, the controller 180 ofthe mobile terminal 100 may display at least part of the obtainedfurniture information in the second area 520. However, the QR code ismerely an example, and it is a matter of course that information of aspecific piece of furniture can be obtained from a different form ofcode, which indicates information.

If the fifth menu 1150 in the GUI 1100 is selected, the controller 180of the mobile terminal 100 may execute the gallery application and thendisplay an execution screen including a plurality of furniture images onthe display unit 151. Here, each of the plurality of furniture imagesmay be tagged with information of a corresponding piece of furniture.The controller 180 of the mobile terminal 100 may display information offurniture corresponding to a furniture image selected by the user in thesecond area 520.

If the sixth menu 1160 in the GUI 1100 is selected, the controller 180of the mobile terminal 100 may display a furniture list on the displayunit 151. In addition, the controller 180 of the mobile terminal 100 maydisplay information of a piece of furniture selected by the user among aplurality of pieces of furniture included in the displayed furniturelist in the second area 520.

FIG. 12 is a diagram illustrating another example of an execution screenaccording to an embodiment of the present invention. The featuresdescribed above will be omitted herein to avoid redundant description.

Referring to FIG. 12, the controller 180 of the mobile terminal 100displays an execution screen 1200 of the specific application on thedisplay unit 151. The execution screen 1200 may include a furniture listincluding pieces of furniture that can be virtually arranged. Theexecution screen 1200 may include at least one of a name 1201 of aspecific piece of furniture, an image 1202 of the specific piece offurniture, and information 1203 on the specific piece of furniture(e.g., cost information, size information, color information, etc.) foreach specific piece of furniture. In addition, the execution screen 1200may further include a menu option 1210 for adding a specific piece offurniture that can be virtually arranged.

The execution screen 1200 shown in FIG. 12 may correspond to the secondarea 520 of the execution screen 500 shown in FIG. 5. Alternatively, insome embodiments, when a specific piece of furniture is selected fromthe furniture list on the execution screen 1200, the execution screen500 shown in FIG. 5 may be displayed on the display unit 151.

FIG. 13 is a diagram illustrating an example of a method for exchangingopinions about virtual furniture arrangement in the mobile terminalaccording to an embodiment of the present invention. The featuresdescribed above will be omitted herein to avoid redundant description.

The controller 180 of the mobile terminal 100 displays the executionscreen 500 of the specific application on the display unit 151, and theexecution screen 500 includes the third area 530 including the chat room531 for exchanging opinions about the virtual furniture arrangement inthe first image 510 with at least one user using the predeterminedexternal device where the specific application is installed.

The third area 530 may include a menu option 1301 for selecting a methodfor exchanging opinions with members invited to the chat room 531. Theuser of the mobile terminal 100 may select/change the method forexchanging opinions with members invited to the chat room 531 throughthe menu option 1301.

When a command for selecting the menu option 1301 is inputted, thecontroller 180 of the mobile terminal 100 may display a GUI 1300including a plurality of menus related to the exchange of opinions onthe execution screen 500.

The GUI 1300 may include at least one of a first menu 1310 for selectinga video call to exchange opinions, a second menu 1320 for selecting avoice call to exchange opinions, and a third menu 1330 for selecting atext chat to exchange opinions.

FIG. 14 is a diagram illustrating an example of a method for displayingfurniture, of which virtual arrangement is currently discussed by chatroom members, on the screen of the mobile terminal according to anembodiment of the present invention. The features described above willbe omitted herein to avoid redundant description.

Referring to FIG. 14(a), the controller 180 of the mobile terminal 100may detect a first signal for selecting information of a first piece offurniture from the information 521 of the plurality of pieces offurniture displayed in the second area 520 of the execution screen 500.For example, the first signal may correspond to a touch input oftouching the information 521 on the first piece of furniture selectedfrom the information 521 on the plurality of pieces of furniture onetime.

In addition, referring to FIG. 14(b), when a text is inputted to thechat input window 532 through the virtual keyboard, the controller 180of the mobile terminal 100 may display first information 1410corresponding to the inputted text and second information 1420corresponding to at least part of the selected information 521 on thefirst piece of furniture in the chat room 531. In some embodiments, thefirst information 1410 and second information 1420 may be displayed on asingle chat window 1430. By doing so, the members invited to the chatroom 531 can easily know which furniture is currently discussed for itsvirtual arrangement. For instance, the second information 1420 may be animage of the first piece of furniture.

Similarly, the controller 180 of the mobile terminal 100 may receivethird information corresponding to a specific piece of furniture andfourth information corresponding to a relevant text from an externaldevice, i.e., a specific member in the chat room 531 through thewireless communication unit 110, and then display the third and fourthinformation in the chat room 531 by associating the information with thespecific member. That is, the members in the chat room 531 can share theexecutions screen 500 using their own devices, select information of aspecific piece of furniture from the furniture information 521 displayedin the second area 520, and input relevant texts in order to exchangeopinions about the specific piece of furniture from with each other.

Alternatively, in some embodiments, the controller 180 of the mobileterminal 100 may recognize, as the exchange of opinions aboutarrangement of the first piece of furniture, texts received beforeinformation of a different piece of furniture is newly selected afterselection of the information 521 on the first piece of furniture fromthe furniture information 521 displayed in the second area 520. Thus,unless a random member in the chat room 531 selects information of adifferent piece of furniture from the furniture information 521displayed in the second area 520, the controller 180 of the mobileterminal 100 may automatically display texts, which has been receivedafter selection of the information 521 on the first piece of furniturefrom the from the furniture information 521 displayed in the second area520, together with the second information 1420.

Further, in some embodiments, although not shown in the drawings, thecontroller 180 of the mobile terminal 100 may recognize a predeterminedfirst text (e.g., ‘second table’ or ‘hardwood table’) from textsdisplayed in the chat room. If the recognized first text may correspondto the information of the first piece of furniture selected from thefurniture information 521 displayed in the second area 520, thecontroller 180 of the mobile terminal 100 may display the secondinformation 1420 corresponding to the at least part of the informationof the first piece of furniture together with the text in the chat room531 as shown in FIG. 14(b). That is, according to the presentembodiment, the members in the chat room 531 do not need to separatelyselect information of a piece of furniture to share their opinions.

In some embodiments, the controller 180 of the mobile terminal 100 canprovide a function of collecting and displaying texts related to thevirtual furniture arrangement.

Hereinafter, with reference to FIGS. 15 to 24, a description will begiven of examples of a method for virtually arranging furniture in thefirst image 511. Here, the furniture arrangement may include changing aposition of furniture, changing a rotation angle of furniture, changingcolor of furniture, etc.

FIG. 15 is a diagram illustrating a method for virtually placingfurniture in the first image of the mobile terminal according to anembodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 15(a), the controller 180 of the mobile terminal 100detects the first signal for selecting the information of the firstpiece of furniture from the furniture information 521 displayed in thesecond area 520. For example, the first signal may correspond to asignal of touching information of a specific piece of furniture from thefurniture information 521 displayed in the second area 520 and draggingit into the first area 510.

Referring to FIG. 15(b), the controller 180 of the mobile terminal 100may display an image 1510 of the first piece of furniture correspondingto the information 521 on the first piece of furniture in the firstimage 511. The image 1510 of the first piece of furniture may be animage included in the information of the first piece of furnituredisplayed in the second area 520 or an image stored in the memory 1710relating to the information of the first piece of furniture displayed inthe second area 520. For example, the image 1510 of the first piece offurniture may be a 3D reconstruction image.

When displaying the image 1510 of the first piece of furniture on thefirst image 511, the controller 180 may adjust a size of the image 1510of the first piece of furniture based on information of the first pieceof furniture stored in the memory 1710 (e.g., a size of the first pieceof furniture) and information on the specific space corresponding to thefirst image 511 (e.g., a size of the specific space, a size ofpreviously placed furniture, etc.).

The user of the mobile terminal 100 may change a location of the image1510 of the first piece of furniture in the first image 511 and rotatethe image 1510 of the first piece of furniture. When the image 1510 ofthe first piece of furniture is a 3D reconstruction image, the user ofthe mobile terminal 100 may change a rotation angel of the image 1510 ofthe first piece of furniture in the first image 511.

When the controller 180 of the mobile terminal 100 displays the image1510 of the first piece of furniture, the controller 180 of the mobileterminal 100, if the location of the image 1510 of the first piece offurniture in the first image 511 is changed based on the information ofthe first piece of furniture stored in the memory 1710 (e.g., the sizeof the first piece of furniture) and the information on the specificspace corresponding to the first image 511 (e.g., the size of thespecific space, the size of the previously placed furniture, etc.), thecontroller 180 of the mobile terminal 100 may properly adjust the sizeof the image 1510 of the first piece of furniture.

For example, the controller 180 of the mobile terminal 100 may change atleast one of the location, size, and rotation angle of the image 1510 ofthe first piece of furniture in the first image 511 according to atleast one of a first signal for changing the location of the image 1510of the first piece of furniture in the first image 511 and a secondsignal for rotating the image 1510 of the first piece of furniture inthe first image 511.

For instance, when the first image 511 is a 3D reconstruction image, thecontroller 180 of the mobile terminal 100 may determine at least one ofthe location (i.e., X_(P), Y_(P), Z_(P)) of the image 1510 of the firstpiece of furniture and the angle (i.e., X_(d), Y_(d), Z_(d)) of theimage 1510 of the first piece of furniture with respect to thecoordinate of the first image 511 according to at least one of the firstand second signals. Since both the first image 511 and the image 1510 ofthe first piece of furniture are 3D construction images, the location(i.e., X_(P), Y_(P), Z_(P)) of the image 1510 of the first piece offurniture and the angle (i.e., X_(d), Y_(d), Z_(d)) of the image 1510 ofthe first piece of furniture may be expressed as vectors. When changingarrangement of the image 1510 of the first piece of furniture in thefirst image 511 using the angle (i.e., X_(d), Y_(d), Z_(d)) of the image1510 of the first piece of furniture, the controller 180 of the mobileterminal 100 may further use information on a distance from the originof the coordinate of the first image 511 to the center point of theimage 1510 of the first piece of furniture.

As another example, when the first image 511 is either a 2D image (stillimage) or 3D image (still image), the controller 180 of the mobileterminal 100 may determine at least one of the location (i.e., X_(P),Y_(P)) of the image 1510 of the first piece of furniture and the angle(i.e., X_(d), Y_(d), Z_(d)) of the image 1510 of the first piece offurniture with respect to the resolution of the first image 511according to at least one of the first and second signals.

As a further example, when the first image 511 is either a 2D image(video) or 3D image (video), the controller 180 of the mobile terminal100 may determine at least one of the location (i.e., X_(P), Y_(P)) ofthe image 1510 of the first piece of furniture and the angle (i.e.,X_(d), Y_(d) Z_(d)) of the image 1510 of the first piece of furniturewith respect to the resolution of the current frame of the first image511 according to at least one of the first and second signals.

The controller 180 of the mobile terminal 100 may control the wirelesscommunication unit 110 to transmit information of the first image 511and information of the image 1510 of the first piece of furniture todevices of the members in the chat room 531 either periodically oraperiodically. Thus, the members in the chat room 531 may share thevirtual furniture arrangement situation and exchange opinions. In thiscase, the devices of the members in the chat room 531 may display thefirst area 510 to third area 530 in the same/similar manner.

In some embodiments, when a certain member in the chat room 531 exceptthe user of the mobile terminal 100 virtually arrange the image 1510 ofthe first piece of furniture in the first image 511, the controller 180of the mobile terminal 100 may arrange the image 1510 of the first pieceof furniture in the first image 511 based on data transmitted from amobile terminal of the certain member.

Meanwhile, according to an embodiment of the present invention, themobile terminal 100 may capture an image of the situation where theimage 1510 of the first piece of furniture is placed in the first image511 and then store the image in the memory 170. This will be describedwith reference to FIGS. 16 and 17.

FIG. 16 is a diagram illustrating an example of a method for capturingan image of virtually placed furniture in the mobile terminal accordingto an embodiment of the present invention.

The execution screen displayed on the display unit 151 of the mobileterminal 100 may include a menu option 1610 for capturing at least partof the execution screen 500.

Referring to FIG. 16(a), the user of the mobile terminal 100 mayvirtually place the first piece of furniture in the first image 511using the image 1510 of the first piece of furniture, and then selectthe menu option 1610. When a command for selecting the menu option 1610is inputted, the controller 180 of the mobile terminal 100 may capturethe first image 511 where the image 1510 of the first piece of furnitureis placed and then store the captured image in the memory 170.

The execution screen 500 may include a menu option 1620 for selectingadditional functions of the specific application.

Referring to FIG. 16(b), when a command for selecting the menu option1620 is inputted, the controller 180 of the mobile terminal 100 maydisplay a GUI 1630 including a plurality of menus corresponding to theadditional functions of the specific application on the display unit151.

The GUI 1630 may include a menu 1631 for checking the image capturedwhen the menu option 1610 is selected. By selecting the menu 1631 in theGUI 1630, the user of the mobile terminal 100 can check the imageobtained by capturing the first image 511 where the prescribed furnitureis virtually arranged. In some embodiments, the controller 180 of themobile terminal 100 may provide a function of collecting and displayingcapture images for each piece of furniture.

FIG. 17 is a diagram illustrating an example of a method for checking acaptured image in the mobile terminal according to an embodiment of thepresent invention.

When a signal for checking capture images of the first image 511 wherefurniture is virtually arranged is inputted, the controller 180 of themobile terminal 100 may display the capture images 1710 and 1720 storedin the memory 170 on the execution screen 500. For example, the signalmay be a signal for selecting the menu 1631 in the GUI 1630 of FIG. 16.The capture images 1710 and 1720 may be related to the selected firstimage 511, or in some embodiments, the capture images 1710 and 1720 mayinclude a specific piece of furniture.

Referring to FIG. 17(a), for example, the capture images 1710 and 1720may be arranged in order of capture on the execution screen 500, but theinvention is not limited thereto. In addition, each of the captureimages 1710 and 1720 may include an indicator 1700 indicating preferenceof the members in the chat room 531. In addition, it can be known thatas a number in the indicator 1700 increases, the preference of themembers in the chat room 531 also increases.

Meanwhile, referring to FIG. 17(b), the execution screen 500 may includea menu option 1730 for changing a condition for determining arrangementorder of the capture images 1710 and 1720. The user of the mobileterminal 100 may change the arrangement order of the capture images 1710and 1720 through the menu option 1730 such that the capture images 1710and 1720 are arranged in order of time, recommendation, etc.

Referring to FIG. 17(c), the controller 180 of the mobile terminal 100may display an indicator 1740 for displaying the capture image 1720,which is obtained immediately before display of the execution screen500, of the capture images 1710 and 1720 on the capture image 1720.

Meanwhile, according to an embodiment of the present invention, if thesize of a specific area in the specific space corresponding to the firstimage, where the user desires to virtually arrange furniture, is greaterthan that of the furniture, the mobile terminal 100 may display awarning message on the display unit 151 to inform this fact. This willbe described with reference to FIG. 18.

FIG. 18 is a diagram illustrating another example of a method forvirtually arranging furniture in the first image of the mobile terminalaccording to an embodiment of the present invention. The featuresdescribed above with reference to FIG. 15 will be omitted herein toavoid redundant description.

Referring to FIG. 18(a), when detecting the first signal for selectingthe information of the first piece of furniture from the furnitureinformation 521 displayed in the second area 520, the controller 180 ofthe mobile terminal 100 may display the image 1510 of the first piece offurniture corresponding to the information 521 on the first piece offurniture on the first image 511. The user of the mobile terminal 100may change the location of the image 1510 of the first piece offurniture in the first image 511 or rotate the image 1510 of the firstpiece of furniture in the first image 511. When the image 1510 of thefirst piece of furniture is a 3D reconstruction image, the user of themobile terminal 100 may change the rotation angel of the image 1510 ofthe first piece of furniture in the first image 511.

In the present embodiment, it is assumed that the user of the mobileterminal 100 intends to place the first piece of furniture in a specificarea 1810 in the specific space corresponding to the first image 511.

The controller 180 of the mobile terminal 100 may extract the size ofthe specific area 1810 based on the information on the specific spacestored in the memory 170 (e.g., structure of the specific space,information of the furniture previously placed in the specific space,etc.) and then determine whether the first piece of furniture can beplaced in the specific area 1810, based on the size and shape of thefirst piece of furniture.

Referring to FIG. 18(b), if it is determined, based on the size of thespecific area 1810 and the size and shape of the first piece offurniture, that the first piece of furniture cannot be placed in thespecific area 1810, the controller 180 of the mobile terminal 100 maydisplay a notification message 1820 on the display unit 151 to informthis fact.

In some embodiments, the controller 180 of the mobile terminal 100 mayprovide an appropriate location in the first image 511 where the image1510 of the first piece of furniture is placed, based on the informationon the specific space stored in the memory 170 (e.g., structure of thespecific space, information of the furniture previously placed in thespecific space, etc.) and the information of the first piece offurniture.

In addition, in some embodiments, if an area of the first image 511where the user desires to virtually place furniture is actually occupiedby the furniture previously placed in the specific space, the controller180 of the mobile terminal 100 may display a notification message on thedisplay unit 151 to inform this fact. In this case, the controller 180of the mobile terminal 100 may delete an object corresponding thepreviously placed furniture from the first image 511 according to user'sselection.

Although it is assumed in FIG. 18 that the user of the mobile terminal100, i.e., the master member of the chat room 531 virtually arrangesfurniture in the first image 511, the present invention can be equallyapplied to when a non-master member of the chat room 531 virtuallyarranges furniture in the first image 511.

Meanwhile, according to an embodiment of the present invention, thevirtual furniture arrangement can be performed by only the master memberof the chat room 531, any member of the chat room 531, or some membersauthorized by the master member of the chat room 531. This will bedescribed with reference to FIG. 19.

FIG. 19 is a diagram illustrating authority to arrange furniture in thefirst image of the mobile terminal according to an embodiment of thepresent invention. The features described above with reference to FIG.15 will be omitted herein to avoid redundant description.

Referring to FIG. 19(a), the user of the mobile terminal 100corresponding to the master member of the chat room 531 can virtuallyarrange the first piece of furniture in the first image 511 using theimage 1510 of the first piece of furniture. The user of the mobileterminal 100 may not allow the non-master members in the chat room 531to perform the virtual furniture arrangement. For example, the user ofthe mobile terminal 100 may give the non-master members authority toperform the virtual furniture arrangement through a configuration menurelated to the chat room 531 or not. In the embodiment shown in FIG.19(a), the latter case is assumed. In this embodiment, the non-mastermembers in the chat room 531 can share the virtual furniture arrangementsituation and exchange their opinions but cannot virtually arrange orchange furniture in the first image 511. In some embodiments, thecontroller 180 of the mobile terminal 100 may display, on the executionscreen 500, an indicator 1910 indicating that the non-master members arenot allowed to perform the virtual furniture arrangement.

Meanwhile, referring to FIG. 19(b), the user of the mobile terminal 100can give the non-master members the authority to perform the virtualfurniture arrangement through the configuration menu related to the chatroom 531. In this case, the user of the mobile terminal 100 may give allthe non-master members the authority to perform the virtual furniturearrangement. Alternatively, the user of the mobile terminal 100 may givespecific non-master members the authority to perform the virtualfurniture arrangement. In the latter case, the controller 180 of themobile terminal 100 may display an indicator 1920 indicating that amongthe members in the chat room 531, a certain member is given theauthority to perform the virtual furniture arrangement in an area (ornearby place) in which information on each member in the chat room 531is displayed. For convenience of description, the non-master membergiven the authority to perform the virtual furniture arrangement isreferred to as a specific member.

The controller 180 of the mobile terminal 100 may control the wirelesscommunication unit 110 to receive at least one of a third signal forchanging the location of the image 1510 of the first piece of furniturein the first image 511 and a fourth signal for rotating the image 1510of the first piece of furniture in the first image 511 from a device ofthe specific member. In addition, the controller 180 of the mobileterminal 100 may change at least one of the location, size, and rotationangle of the image 1510 of the first piece of furniture in the firstimage 511, based on at least one of the third and fourth signals. Thatis, the first piece of furniture in the first image 511 can be virtuallyarranged (or changed) as intended by the specific member.

In some embodiments, the controller 180 of the mobile terminal 100 mayvisually distinguish between the virtual arrangement of the first pieceof furniture made by the user of the mobile terminal 100 correspondingto the master member and the virtual arrangement of the first piece offurniture made by the non-master member given the authority to performthe virtual furniture arrangement.

Specifically, the controller 180 of the mobile terminal 100 may display,on the first image 511, both of the image 1510 of the first piece offurniture placed in the first image 511 based on at least one of thefirst and second signals, which is described above with reference toFIG. 15, and the image 1510 (hereinafter, a drawing number of 1930 isused to distinguish the two images) of the first piece of furnitureplaced in the first image 511 based on at least one of the third andfourth signals. However, they can be visually distinguished from eachother. For example, at least one of a color, a transparent level, and apattern of the image 1510 of the first piece of furniture based on atleast one of the first and second signals may be different from that ofthe image 1930 of the first piece of furniture based on at least one ofthe third and fourth signals.

In some embodiments, the image 1510 of the first piece of furniture andthe image 1930 of the first piece of furniture may be displayed togetheron the first image 511 in an overlaid manner. If the image 1510 of thefirst piece of furniture is displayed in a specific area of the firstimage 511, the image 1930 of the first piece of furniture cannot beplaced in the overlaid area where the image 1510 of the first piece offurniture overlaps with the image 1930 of the first piece of furniture.That is, in the overlaid area of the specific space, the virtualarrangement of the first piece of furniture made by two or more membersmay not be allowed.

In addition, in some embodiments, the controller 180 of the mobileterminal 100 may display which member makes images of furnituredisplayed in the first image 511 for the virtual furniture arrangement.For example, the controller 180 of the mobile terminal 100 may displayinformation 1940 indicating that the image 1510 of the first piece offurniture is a result of the virtual arrangement made by the mastermember among the members in the chat room 531 on a chat window 1924corresponding to the master member, and display information 1951indicating that the image 1510 of the first piece of furniture is aresult of the virtual arrangement made by the specific member on a chatwindow 1952 corresponding to the specific member.

FIG. 20 is a diagram illustrating an example of a method for confirmingvirtual arrangement of a specific piece of furniture in the first imageof the mobile terminal according to an embodiment of the presentinvention. The features described above will be omitted herein to avoidredundant description.

The controller 180 of the mobile terminal 100 may display, on the firstimage 511, the image 1510 of the first piece of furniture correspondingto the information 521 on the first piece of furniture.

When detecting a signal for confirming the arrangement of the firstpiece of furniture in the first image 511, the controller 180 of themobile terminal 100 may configure lock so that the location, size, androtation angle of the image 1510 of the first piece of furniture cannotbe changed. In some embodiments, when detecting such a signal, thecontroller 180 of the mobile terminal 100 may not allow to change thecolor of the image 1510 of the first piece of furniture. Here, theconfirmation of the furniture arrangement may mean that at least one ofthe location, rotation angle, and color of the furniture is fixed sothat changes are not allowed any more.

For example, referring to FIG. 20(a), the controller 180 of the mobileterminal 100 may detect a first predetermined signal. The first signalmay be a touch signal of touching the image 1510 of the first piece offurniture during a predetermined time or more, or a touch signal oftouching a menu option for confirming virtual arrangement of a specificpiece of furniture, which is displayed on the execution screen 500. Inaddition, the controller 180 of the mobile terminal 100 may also displayan indicator 2010 indicating that lock is set up regarding thearrangement of the first piece of furniture, on the information 521 onthe first piece of furniture displayed in the second area 520. Moreover,the controller 180 of the mobile terminal 100 may display a notificationmessage 2011 indicating that the arrangement of the first piece offurniture is confirmed in the chat room 531.

As another example, referring to FIG. 20(b), the controller 180 of themobile terminal 100 may recognize at least one of first information ofthe first piece of furniture (e.g., an indicator 2021 indicating thefirst piece of furniture and a text 2022 corresponding to the name ofthe first piece of furniture), second information on confirmation of thevirtual furniture arrangement (e.g., a text 2023 corresponding to‘arrangement confirmation’), third information on agreement of thevirtual furniture arrangement (e.g., a text 2024) from informationdisplayed in the chat room 531 (e.g., image, graphic, text, etc.) andthen confirm the arrangement of the image 1510 of the first piece offurniture in the first image 511 based on the recognized information. Inaddition, the controller 180 of the mobile terminal 100 may also displaythe indicator 2010 indicating that lock is set up regarding thearrangement of the first piece of furniture, on the information 521 onthe first piece of furniture displayed in the second area 520. Moreover,the controller 180 of the mobile terminal 100 may display thenotification message 2011 indicating that the arrangement of the firstpiece of furniture is confirmed in the chat room 531.

In some embodiments, it is a matter of course that the confirmedarrangement of the first piece of furniture can be released.

In the present embodiment, it is assumed that when the arrangement ofthe specific piece of furniture in the first image 511 is confirmed, thenotification message 2011 indicating the confirmation is displayed inthe chat room 531. However, in some embodiments, when the location,color, rotation angle, and the like of an image of a specific piece offurniture in the first image 511 is changed, when an image of a newspecific piece of furniture is displayed on the first image 511, or whenan object corresponding to the furniture previously placed in thespecific pace corresponding to the first image 511 is changed, anotification message information the change may be displayed in the chatroom 531.

Meanwhile, according to an embodiment of the present invention, themobile terminal 100 may inform the user of a candidate area in thespecific space corresponding to the first image 511, where the firstpiece of furniture can be arranged. This will be described withreference to FIG. 21.

FIG. 21 is a diagram illustrating a further example of a method forvirtually arranging furniture in the first image of the mobile terminalaccording to an embodiment of the present invention. The featuresdescribed above will be omitted herein to avoid redundant description.

Referring to FIG. 21(a), the controller 180 of the mobile terminal 100detects a first signal for selecting the information of the first pieceof furniture from the furniture information 521 displayed in the secondarea 520. For example, the first signal may correspond to a signal oftouching information of a specific piece of furniture from the furnitureinformation 521 displayed in the second area 520 and dragging it intothe first area 510.

Referring to FIG. 21(b), when detecting the first signal, the controller180 of the mobile terminal 100 may display the image 1510 of the firstpiece of furniture corresponding to the information 521 on the firstpiece of furniture on the first image 511. In this case, based on theinformation on the specific space corresponding to the first image 511and the information of the first piece of furniture, which is stored inthe memory 170, the controller 180 of the mobile terminal 100 maydisplay an indicator 2100 indicating a candidate area in the specificspace where the first piece of furniture can be arranged in the firstimage 511.

In addition, in some embodiments, when the controller 180 of the mobileterminal 100 already has information on a wiring structure of thespecific space corresponding to the first image 511, the controller 180of the mobile terminal 100 may select the candidate area in the specificspace where the first piece of furniture can be arranged, based on theinformation on the specific space corresponding to the first image 511and the information of the first piece of furniture.

Moreover, in some embodiments, the controller 180 of the mobile terminal100 may transmit the information on the specific space and theinformation of the first piece of furniture to a predetermined expert(i.e., an external device belonging to the expert). Thereafter, based onthe guide related to arrangement transmitted from the external devicebelonging to the expert, the controller 180 of the mobile terminal 100may select the candidate area in the specific space where the firstpiece of furniture can be arranged.

FIG. 22 is a diagram illustrating an example of a method for changingcolor of furniture virtually placed in the first image of the mobileterminal according to an embodiment of the present invention. Thefeatures described above will be omitted herein to avoid redundantdescription.

Referring to FIG. 22(a), the controller 180 of the mobile terminal 100may display the image1510 of the first piece of furniture correspondingto the information 521 on the first piece of furniture on the firstimage 511.

When detecting a signal for changing the color of the image 1510 of thefirst piece of furniture displayed on the first image 511, thecontroller 180 of the mobile terminal 100 may change the color of theimage 1510 of the first piece of furniture.

For example, referring to FIG. 22(b), the controller 180 of the mobileterminal 100 may detect a first predetermined signal. The first signalmay be a touch signal of touching the image 1510 of the first piece offurniture during a predetermined time or more, or a touch signal oftouching a menu option for changing the color of a specific piece offurniture displayed on the execution screen 500. When detecting thefirst signal, the controller 180 of the mobile terminal 100 may displaya GUI 2200 including different colors of images 2210 relating to thefirst piece of furniture on the execution screen 500. In someembodiments, the GUI 2200 may include menu options corresponding todifferent colors instead of the images 2210 relating to the first pieceof furniture.

The user of the mobile terminal 100 may select a desired color throughthe GUI 2200. When a specific color is selected through the GUI 2200,the controller 180 of the mobile terminal 100 may change the color ofthe image 1510 of the first piece of furniture to the specific color.

FIG. 23 is a diagram illustrating another example of a method forchanging color of furniture virtually placed in the first image of themobile terminal according to an embodiment of the present invention. Thefeatures described above will be omitted herein to avoid redundantdescription.

Referring to FIG. 23(a), the controller 180 of the mobile terminal 100may display the image1510 of the first piece of furniture correspondingto the information 521 on the first piece of furniture on the firstimage 511.

When detecting a signal for changing the color of the image 1510 of thefirst piece of furniture displayed on the first image 511, thecontroller 180 of the mobile terminal 100 may change the color of theimage 1510 of the first piece of furniture.

For example, the controller 180 of the mobile terminal 100 may recognizefirst information of the first piece of furniture (e.g., a text 2311)and second information on a specific color (e.g., a text 2322) frominformation displayed in the chat room 531 (e.g., image, graphic, text,etc.) and then change the color of the image 1510 of the first piece offurniture to the color indicated by the recognized second information asshown in FIG. 23(b).

According to the present invention, it has an advantage in that thecolor of the image 1510 of the first piece of furniture can beautomatically changed as intended by the members in the chat room 531even through the members in the chat room 531 do not directly change thecolor of the image 1510 of the first piece of furniture.

Meanwhile, according to an embodiment of the present invention, when theuser of the mobile terminal 100 virtually arrange furniture in the firstimage 511, the user of the mobile terminal 100 can delete the furniturepreviously placed in the specific space corresponding to the first image511 or change the location of the previously placed furniture within thefirst image 511. This will be described with reference to FIG. 24.

FIG. 24 is a diagram illustrating an example of a method for eliminatingor changing furniture previously placed in a specific spacecorresponding to the first image in the mobile terminal according to anembodiment of the present invention. The features described above willbe omitted herein to avoid redundant description.

Referring to FIG. 24(a), the controller 180 of the mobile terminal 100may obtain the information on the specific space corresponding to thefirst image 511 from the first image 511 or from the first image 511 andinformation tagged with the first image 511 (e.g., above-describeddistance information). In addition, the controller 180 of the mobileterminal 100 may extract objects included in the first image 511 throughthe obtained information on the specific space and edge detection/colordetection of the first image 511. The object included in the first image511 may be the furniture previously placed in the specific space.

When the user of the mobile terminal 100 virtually arranges furniture inthe first image 511, the user may delete, from the first image 511, thefurniture previously placed in the specific space corresponding to thefirst image 511 or change, in the first image 511, the location of thefurniture previously placed in the specific space corresponding to thefirst image 511.

The controller 180 of the mobile terminal 100 detects a first signal forselecting an object 2410 corresponding to a specific piece of furniturein the first image 511, which is previously placed in the specificspace. For example, the first signal may correspond to a touch signal oftouching the object 2410 during a predetermined time or more anddragging it out of the first image 511.

Referring to FIG. 24(b), the controller 180 of the mobile terminal 100may eliminate the object 2410 from the first image 511. In this case,based on margins of the objects 2410 in the first image 511, thecontroller 180 of the mobile terminal 100 may fill up the space wherethe object 2410 was placed in the first image 511.

Meanwhile, although not shown in the drawings, the user of the mobileterminal 100 may select an object corresponding to the furniturepreviously placed in the specific space and drag the object to a randompoint on the first image 511 in order to change the location of theselected object.

FIG. 25 is a diagram illustrating examples of a situation that can occurafter virtual arrangement of a specific piece of furniture in the firstimage of the mobile terminal according to an embodiment of the presentinvention. The features described above will be omitted herein to avoidredundant description.

Referring to FIG. 25(a), the user of the mobile terminal 100 may input apredetermined command after completing the virtual arrangement of thefirst piece of furniture in the first image 511. For example, thepredetermined command may be a touch command inputted by touching theimage 1510 of the first piece of furniture during a predetermined timeor more, or a touch command inputted by touching a menu option forcompleting the arrangement of a specific piece of furniture, which isdisplayed on the execution screen 500.

Referring to FIG. 25(b), when the predetermined command is inputted, thecontroller 180 of the mobile terminal 100 may display a GUI 2500 on thedisplay unit 151. For example, the GUI 2500 may include a first menu2510 for storing the information of the first piece of furniture (e.g.,ID of the first piece of furniture, features of the first piece offurniture, manufacturing company of the first piece of furniture, stockof the first piece of furniture, size of the first piece of furniture,etc.), of which the arrangement is completed, and information related tothe arrangement of the image 1510 of first piece of furniture in thefirst image 511 (including the capture image obtained by capturing thefirst image 511 where the first piece of furniture is virtuallyarranged), and a second menu 2520 for purchasing the first piece offurniture.

The storage in accordance with the first menu 2510 may mean that theinformation of the first piece of furniture is temporality stored in astorage box. Here, the storage box may be the memory 170 of the mobileterminal 100 or a storage facility of the server that provides thespecific application. In addition, when the specific application can beinterconnected to a furniture shopping mall application managed by aspecific furniture company or shopping mall company, the storage box maymean a storage facility of the server that provides the furnitureshopping mall application.

Meanwhile, the user of the mobile terminal 100 may directly purchase thefirst piece of furniture through the second menu 2520. In the presentembodiment, the specific application may provide a furniture purchaseservice or be interconnected to the furniture shopping mall applicationmanaged by the specific furniture company or shopping mall company. Whena command for selecting the second menu 2520 is inputted, the controller180 of the mobile terminal 100 may display a purchase page forpurchasing the first piece of furniture. In addition, the controller 180of the mobile terminal 100 can control the wireless communication unit110 to transmit the information related to the arrangement of the image1510 of first piece of furniture in the first image 511 (e.g., the firstimage 511 where the first piece of furniture is virtually arranged) toan external server (e.g., the server that provides the specificapplication or server that provides the furniture shopping mallapplication). Moreover, when the first piece of furniture is shipped, acompany in charge of shipping the first piece of furniture may use theinformation related to the arrangement of the image 1510 of first pieceof furniture in placing the first piece of furniture. Further, in someembodiments, the specific application or furniture shopping mallapplication may provide a notification message to the members in thechat room 531 on a shipping date of the first piece of furniture.

Meanwhile, according to an embodiment of the present invention, the userof the mobile terminal 100 may watch the first image 511 where furnitureis virtually arranged using an HMD device. This will be described withreference to FIG. 26.

FIG. 26 is a diagram illustrating an example of a method for watchingthe first image 511 where furniture is virtually arranged using an HMDdevice connected the mobile terminal according to an embodiment of thepresent invention.

Referring to FIG. 26(a), the controller 180 of the mobile terminal 100may detect a first predetermined signal. As an input signal for watchingthe first image 511, where furniture is virtually arranged, using an HMDdevice (e.g., virtual reality (VR) device), the first predeterminedsignal may be, for example, a touch signal of touching two random pointson the first image 511 and dragging the two points in oppositedirections such that the two points are far away.

Referring to FIG. 26(b), the controller 180 of the mobile terminal 100may enlarge the first image 511 where the furniture is virtuallyarranged such that its size becomes larger, and then display theenlarged first image 511 on the display unit 151. In addition, thecontroller 180 may display, on the display unit 151, a notificationmessage 2610 for informing that the user can watch the first image 511using a VR device after connecting the mobile terminal 100 to the VRdevice.

If a confirm menu in the notification message is selected, thecontroller 180 of the mobile terminal 100 may convert the first image511 into an image for the left eye and an image for the right eye,divide the display unit 151 into a display area for the left eye and adisplay area for the right eye, display the converted image for the lefteye in the display area for the left eye, and then display the convertedimage for the right eye in the display area for the right eye.

Referring to FIG. 26(c), the user of the mobile terminal 100 may connectthe mobile terminal 100 to a VR device 2600 and then wear the VR device2600 on the head. By doing so, the user of the mobile terminal 100 mayexperience virtual reality as the user directly places furniture in thecorresponding space, by watching the converted first image displayedthrough the display unit 151.

FIG. 27 is a diagram illustrating an example of a method for utilizingan image containing the above-described virtual arrangement results atthe mobile terminal according to an embodiment of the present inventionin actually arranging the first piece of furniture.

According to the present invention, a member in the chat room 531 or anemployee of the furniture shipping company can use as references thecapture image obtained by capturing the first image 511 where thevirtual arrangement of the first piece of furniture is completed whenactually arranging the first piece of furniture.

Referring to FIG. 27(a), the user of the mobile terminal 100 (the memberin the chat room 531 or employee of the furniture shipping company) canactivate the camera 121, and the controller 180 can display a previewimage 2710 obtained by the camera 121 on the display unit 151. Inaddition, the display unit 151 of the mobile terminal 100 can display amenu option 2711 for checking and selecting images captured and storedfor the virtual furniture arrangement

When the menu option 2711 is selected, the controller 180 of the mobileterminal 100 can display the images captured and stored for the virtualfurniture arrangement on the display unit 151. The user of the mobileterminal 100 may select the image obtained by capturing the first image511 where the virtual arrangement of the first piece of furniture iscompleted from among the displayed images.

Referring to FIG. 27(b), the controller 180 of the mobile terminal 100can display the selected capture image 2820 on the preview image 2710.That is, the capture image 2820 is displayed by overlapping the previewimage 2710, and in this case, transparency of the capture image 2820 maybe set to be higher than that of the preview image 2710. By doing so, itis possible to achieve the visual effect that the preview image 2710 istransparently seen through the capture image 2820.

The user of the mobile terminal 100 may adjust the mobile terminal 100such that the position of an object in the capture image 2820 matchesthat of an object in the preview image 2710, which corresponds to theobject in the capture image 2820. Thus, by checking an image 2821 of thefirst piece of furniture on the capture image 2820, the user of themobile terminal 100 can be aware of a location where the first piece offurniture will be placed in the specific space. The controller 180 ofthe mobile terminal 100 may display on the display unit 151 anotification message 2730 informing that the location where the firstpiece of furniture will be placed is currently displayed.

According to the above-described embodiments of the present invention,it is possible to provide solution for allowing a user to virtuallyarrange furniture on an image corresponding to a specific space andexchange opinions about the furniture arrangement with many people. Inaddition, according to the aforementioned embodiments of the presentinvention, it is also possible to provide user experience andenvironment optimized for virtual furniture arrangement.

Various embodiments may be implemented using a machine-readable mediumhaving instructions stored thereon for execution by a processor toperform various methods presented herein. Examples of possiblemachine-readable mediums include HDD (Hard Disk Drive), SSD (Solid StateDisk), SDD (Silicon Disk Drive), ROM, RAM, CD-ROM, a magnetic tape, afloppy disk, an optical data storage device, the other types of storagemediums presented herein, and combinations thereof. If desired, themachine-readable medium may be realized in the form of a carrier wave(for example, a transmission over the Internet). The processor mayinclude the controller 180 of the mobile terminal. The foregoingembodiments are merely exemplary and are not to be considered aslimiting the present disclosure. The present teachings can be readilyapplied to other types of methods and apparatuses. This description isintended to be illustrative, and not to limit the scope of the claims.Many alternatives, modifications, and variations will be apparent tothose skilled in the art. The features, structures, methods, and othercharacteristics of the exemplary embodiments described herein may becombined in various ways to obtain additional and/or alternativeexemplary embodiments. As the present features may be embodied inseveral forms without departing from the characteristics thereof, itshould also be understood that the above-described embodiments are notlimited by any of the details of the foregoing description, unlessotherwise specified, but rather should be considered broadly within itsscope as defined in the appended claims, and therefore all changes andmodifications that fall within the metes and bounds of the claims, orequivalents of such metes and bounds, are therefore intended to beembraced by the appended claims.

INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY

The present invention relates to a mobile terminal, and the inventionhas industrial applicability.

What is claimed is:
 1. A mobile terminal, comprising: a camera; adisplay unit configured to display a specific application; and, acontroller, wherein the specific application comprises a first area fordisplaying a first image obtained by the camera and comprising a previewimage corresponding to a specific space, wherein the specificapplication further comprises a second area for displaying informationof a plurality of objects that can be virtually arranged in the specificspace, wherein the controller is configured to: detect a first signalfor selecting an object from the displayed information of the pluralityof objects; display, on the first image, a first indicator indicating acandidate area where the first object can be placed in the specificspace, wherein the first indicator comprises information correspondingto at least one of a size or a shape of the first object; display, onthe first image, a second indicator indicating that the first objectcannot be placed in an area of the specific space when the first objectcannot be placed in the area; display an image of the first object onthe first image in response to a second signal for determining alocation of the first object; adjust a size of the displayed image ofthe first object in response to a third signal for changing the locationof the first object in the specific space; rotate the displayed image ofthe first object in response to a fourth signal for rotating the firstobject in the specific space; and capture an image of the specific spaceincluding the first object virtually arranged in the specific space inresponse to selection of a capturing option of a displayed GUI (graphinguser interface) of the specific application.
 2. The mobile terminal ofclaim 1, wherein the controller is further configured to display theimage of the first object as a 3D reconstruction image.
 3. The mobileterminal of claim 1, the controller is further configured to confirmvirtual arrangement of the first object in the first image by lockingthe location and rotation of the first object.
 4. The mobile terminal ofclaim 1, wherein the controller is further configured to determine thecandidate area based on information on the specific space andinformation of the first object.
 5. The mobile terminal of claim 1,wherein the controller is further configured to extract information onthe specific space by analyzing an RGB image obtained from the camera.6. The mobile terminal of claim 1, wherein the controller is furtherconfigured to extract information on the specific space by analyzingdepth information obtained from the camera.
 7. The mobile terminal ofclaim 1, wherein the camera comprises a depth camera.
 8. The mobileterminal of claim 1, wherein the camera comprises a dual camera.
 9. Themobile terminal of claim 1, further comprising a memory configured tostore at least one of shape information of the first object, colorinformation of the first object, or size information of the firstobject.
 10. The mobile terminal of claim 1, wherein information on thespecific space comprises at least one of size information of thespecific space, location information of another object previously placedin the specific space, shape information of the another objectpreviously placed in the specific space, or size information of an emptyarea in the specific space.
 11. The mobile terminal of claim 1, whereinthe first image comprises a plurality of images obtained by moving thecamera.
 12. The mobile terminal of claim 1, further comprising awireless communication unit, wherein the controller is furtherconfigured to control the wireless communication unit to transmitinformation of the first image and the first object displayed on thefirst image to a external device.
 13. The mobile terminal of claim 1,wherein the first area includes a first menu to display at least one ofa second image stored in a memory or a third image received from anexternal server or device.
 14. The mobile terminal of claim 1, whereinthe second area includes a second menu to add object information to bedisplayed in the second area.
 15. The mobile terminal of claim 1,wherein the second area includes at least one of name information, imageinformation, feature information, size information, or color informationrelated to each of the plurality of objects.
 16. The mobile terminal ofclaim 1, wherein the controller is further configured to delete a secondobject from the first image that was previously placed in the specificspace or change a location of the second object that was previouslyplaced in the specific space.
 17. The mobile terminal of claim 16,wherein the controller is further configured to display an outline of aspace where the second object was previously placed in the first image,based on an outline of the second object.
 18. The mobile terminal ofclaim 1, wherein the specific application comprises a third menu forchanging a color of the first object.
 19. The mobile terminal of claim18, wherein when the third menu is selected, a GUI is displayedincluding different colored images relating to the first object.
 20. Themobile terminal of claim 1, wherein the specific application comprises afourth menu for purchasing the first object.
 21. The mobile terminal ofclaim 1, the specific application comprises a third area including achat room for exchanging messages about virtual object arrangement inthe first image with at least one user of a predetermined externaldevice.